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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 May 1993

Vol. 430 No. 8

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Statistics.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

231 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in the State with mental handicap.

The last census of people with mental handicap was carried out in 1981 and indicated a population of 22,979. It is estimated that the present mental handicap population is approximately 25,000. Of these, about 15,400 have a moderate, severe or profound degree of mental handicap and most require extensive support from the health services. The remainder have a mild mental handicap. A minority of this group require ongoing support from the health services.

Agreement has recently been reached between my Department and statutory and voluntary agencies providing services to people with mental handicap on the adoption of an information system which will be set up in the coming months. This system will provide information, on an ongoing basis, on the numbers of people with mental handicap in each region, the number in services and awaiting services, their current and future needs and the level of support which is required to meet those needs.

The availability of such information will enable my Department and those responsible for the provision of services to plan in a co-ordinated manner the services which will be required to meet both current and future needs.
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