Vol. 477 No. 2
70 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Health the reason his commitment to provide proper facilities at a location (details supplied) in County Galway has not been fulfilled to date; the date on which this will be done; the amount being allocated in this regard in 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8726/97]
The provision of services to persons with a mental handicap in the Ballinasloe area, County Galway is a matter in the first instance for the Western Health Board.
Recently, I approved an allocation of £850,000 to the Western Health Board region for new residential-respite and day care places. As in previous years, details of the precise services to be put in place in the health board region, and the individuals who will benefit from these services, will be agreed by the western regional mental handicap co-ordinating committee in line with the priority needs which have been identified for the region. The co-ordinating committee is representative of the health board, the voluntary service providers and the parents and families of persons with a mental handicap.
