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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

225 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has for dealing with the current crisis in the provision of services for the mentally handicapped. [15889/96]

Helen Keogh

Question:

226 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to make additional funding available to tackle the inadequacy of residential places available to mentally handicapped people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15890/96]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together. As the Deputies are aware, substantial additional funding has been made available in recent years for the development of services to persons with a mental handicap. Additional funding of £56.58 million was invested in the services in the period 1990-96 which has enabled health boards to put in place over 1,000 additional residential places and 2,200 day care places.

I am satisfied that this additional annual funding has made a significant impact on the number of persons with a mental handicap awaiting services. However, I am aware that more needs to be done. The Government is committed under both the health strategy document "Shaping a Healthier Future" and "Government of Renewal" to the continued development of the service as resources become available. That commitment is reflected in my decision, with my colleague, the Minister, to prepare a five year service development plan to meet the needs identified by the national mental handicap database. I expect the plan to be ready later this year.

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