Mary Harney
Question:91 Miss Harney asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he proposes to take to ensure an adequate level of service for the mentally handicapped in the Limerick area. [24783/96]
Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.
Additional funding of £56.8 million was invested in the services for persons with a mental handicap in the period 1990-6 which has enabled health boards and voluntary organisations to put in place over 1,000 additional residential places and 2,300 day care places. A sum of £2.9 million was allocated to the Mid-Western Health Board from the funding which was specifically made available for the development of new services.
While I am satisfied that the annual injection of funds into services to persons with a mental handicap over the past 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 sources 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 now providing my Department, the health boards and the voluntary mental handicap agencies with infomation on both the current and future needs of persons with a mental handicap over a five year period. I 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.