Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Ivor Callely

Question:

209 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the deep concern with regard to the current position in relation to mental handicap services in the Eastern Health Board catchment area; his views of the shortfall, if any, in services; the total numbers awaiting appropriate services; the additional moneys he has allocated in this regard and the likely impact it may have on waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15713/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. O'Shea)

The provision of services in the eastern region is a matter in the first instance for the Eastern Health Board.

Additional revenue funding of £1.25 million was initially made available in 1996 to the Eastern Health Board which has enabled the board to put in place 18 new residential-respite places, 112 new day care places and to further enhance the level of home support services available in the region. A further £0.150 million was subsequently made available to the board to provide further additional residential places.

Capital funding of £2 million is being made available to the board over a two year period to provide additional residential facilities on the southside of the city. Some £1 million has been allocated this year with a further £1 million being made available early in 1997. Additional capital funding of £0.660 million has also been made available to the Eastern region to support the additional services which are being put in place this year. A further capital grant of £0.250 million has also been approved by my Department to enable the board to continue the ongoing maintenance and refurbishment programme in St. Joseph's service for persons with a mental handicap in St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane.

I understand from the Eastern Health Board that the latest information available to the board indicates there are 414 persons with a mental handicap on the waiting list for residential services and 420 on the waiting list for day services. In addition to those awaiting placement in day or residential services, there are also persons with a mental handicap already in receipt of services who require a different or more intensive level of service provision than that which they are currently receiving. I am aware of the particular difficulties, which arise mainly due to the growth in the population and the tradition in the past of persons with a mental handicap from other parts of the country being placed in services in the eastern region, which the Eastern Health Board faces in meeting the demands being made upon it in relation to services to persons with a mental handicap. These factors have been taken into account by my Department in determining the level of funding which was made available to the board both this year and in previous years.

I am satisfied that the substantial level of additional funding which has been made available in recent years has made a significant impact on the numbers of those awaiting services. The Government's commitment to the continued development of services to persons with a mental handicap is reflected in my decision, with my colleague the Minister, to prepare a five year development plan to meet the needs identified by the new national mental handicap database. I expect the plan to be ready later this year.