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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 1

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Ned O'Keeffe

Question:

132 Mr. E. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will approve a new COPE facility for Youghal, County Cork to service the needs of the youth and adult mentally handicapped of the Youghal area; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Southern Health Board is refusing to finance the proposed facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4232/97]

The provision of services to persons with a mental handicap in the Youghal area is in the first instance a matter for the Southern Health Board.

The organisation, planning and development of services for persons with a mental handicap in the Southern Health Board region is based on a comprehensive consultation process involving a consultative and regional planning committee which involves voluntary and statutory services providers and includes parental representation. COPE foundation is fully involved in this process.

The Southern Health Board is currently finalising an assessment of need for the development of services to persons with a mental handicap based on information from the regional intellectual disability database. As part of this process, the board gave consideration to the future development of services in the Youghal area and East Cork generally. The board already has significant residential, day and community based services in the Youghal area for persons with a mental handicap. In addition, there has been substantial additional investment in these services in recent years, and the board is committed to the continuing development of the Youghal based service.

The Southern Health Board and COPE foundation have agreed that the development of further workshop/day services in the Youghal area would not currently be justified in the light of the availability of places within the existing services. I understand that senior officials of the board and COPE foundation have met jointly on a number of occasions with the parents who are seeking this new facility, and have explained the position to them. In addition, COPE foundation have assured the parents involved that their children's existing placements with COPE foundation are secure.

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