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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Nov 1996

Vol. 471 No. 5

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

95 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to address the serious shortage of day and residential places for mentally handicapped people; if there are currently 2,950 mentally handicapped people who have no service, broken down into 1,500 seeking day places and 1,450 seeking residential places; the number of people in these categories in each of the years from 1992 to date, together with the number of places available in each of these years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21320/96]

Information in relation to waiting lists for services to persons with a mental handicap in the years 1992 to 1995, as set out below, was estimated and based on approximate data submitted by the eight health boards.

Year

Waiting Lists (Estimated)

Residential/Respite

Day

1992

1,064

1,376

1993

1,324

1,432

1994

1,217

1,522

1995

1,453

1,526

The 1995 figure was obtained from the health boards early in the year and does not take account of the impact of the additional services which were put in place that year.
The national intellectual disability database is now providing my Department, the health boards and the voluntary mental handicap agencies with information on both the current and future needs of persons with a mental handicap over a five year period. Information in relation to 1996 will be included in the five year plan for services to persons with a mental handicap which is currently being prepared.
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.
Information in relation to the period requested by the Deputy is as follows:

Year

Additional Places Provided

Residential/Respite

Day

1992

196

465

1993

90

205

1994

282

550

1995

243

514

1996

70

265

While I am satisfied that this annual injection of funds over a number of years has made a substantial impact, I am aware that 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 inA Government of Renewal and the health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future.
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.
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