Limerick-East): While neither I nor my predecessor have met formally with representatives of St. Michael's House, officials from my Department meet on a regular basis with St. Michael's House and other service providers to discuss issues relating to the provision of services for persons with a mental handicap, including the need for the further development of day services.
As the Deputy is aware substantial additional funding has been made available in recent years for the development of mental handicap services. In allocating these resources, particular attention was paid to the provision of additional day care places.
In 1993 an additional £0.300 million was provided for day care services in the Eastern Health Board region. Of the additional 65 places which were provided 16 were allocated to St. Michael's House at an annual cost of £70,000.
In 1994 an additional £1.15 million was provided for day care services in the region. Of the 230 additional places provided, 52 were allocated to St. Michael's House at an annual cost of £260,000. In both years the number of day places allocated to St. Michael's House was the highest number allocated to any agency in the region.