Vol. 471 No. 2
19 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the unfair and inappropriate treatment of people with a mental handicap, particularly people who are denied a service need or appropriate placement; his views on such circumstances; the action, if any, he proposes to take in this regard; the proposals, if any, he has considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17215/96]
Additional funding of £56.8 million was invested in the services for persons with a mental handicap in the period 1990-96 which has enabled health boards and voluntary organisations to put in place over 1,000 additional residential places and 2,300 day care places. While I am satisfied that this annual injection of funds over a number of years has made a substantial impact, more needs to be done if the needs of those awaiting services are to be met. The Government is committed to the continued development of the services, as resources become available. This commitment is outlined in both A Government of Renewal and the Health Strategy "Shaping a Healthier Future".
The national intellectual disability database is providing my Department, the health boards and voluntary mental handicap agencies with information on both the current and future needs of persons with a mental handicap over a five year period. I would hope to continue the development of further services for persons with a mental handicap based on the needs identified by the database. My priority is to ensure that provision can be made to meet the needs of those who are currently without a service.
