Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 30 Oct 1996

Vol. 470 No. 7

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

92 Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether he has received an application from the Brothers of Charity in relation to further funding for the Burren View child development centre; if so, when he will make a decision on this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19822/96]

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

Representations in relation to additional funding for the Burren View child development centre have recently been received by my Department from the Brothers of Charity and the Burren View parents group. The Minister for Health, and I are currently preparing a five year development plan for services to persons with a mental handicap based on the needs identified by the new national intellectual disability database. Work on the preparation of the plan is well advanced and I expect to publish it later this year. The database has identified the needs of children, such as those attending the Burren View centre and other similar services.

In relation to the Western Health Board region, the provision of services to persons with a mental handicap is a matter in the first instance for the Western Health Board. Issues relating to the planning and co-ordination of services to persons with a mental handicap in the Western Health Board area are dealt with by the regional mental handicap co-ordinating committee. The committee's role is to identify priorities for service developments, agree plans for the development of services for each region and recommend the provision of services as resources become available. The co-ordinating committee is representative of the health board, the voluntary service providers and parents and families of persons with a mental handicap. Details of the precise services to be put in place in the Western Health Board area resulting from the provision of any additional funding which may come on stream would be agreed by the board with the co-ordinating committee and within any guidelines which may be issued by my Department.