As the Deputy is aware £12 million is being made available in 1995 for the development of services for people with a mental handicap nationally. Of this, £2 million is being used to strengthen the funding base of some agencies and to meet identified needs in existing services.
Eight million pounds revenue and £2 million capital will be allocated to the health board regions for the further development of new services including: additional residential/respite places; additional day care places; the further development of the home support service; the development of services for persons with autism in response to the policy document which was published in September 1994; the development of services for persons with mental handicap who are also behaviourally disturbed in response to a policy document which will be issued shortly; the continuation of the programme to transfer persons with a mental handicap from psychiatric hospitals and other unsuitable placements to more appropriate care settings; and the provision of hepatitis B vaccinations for staff working in the mental handicap services and also for client groups considered to be at risk.
In addition, £4.2 million is being provided for the development of training centres which will benefit people with disabilities including those with a mental handicap.