Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 13 May 1997

Vol. 479 No. 2

Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.

Robert Molloy

Question:

90 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Health if he has received a detailed application from the Western Health Board for the development of services for mentally handicapped persons, services for autistic persons and for the development of a specialised day and residential service at Claregalway Farm, and a day service at John Paul II Centre and Autism Service Tools to start up on 1 July 1997; and if so, the funding which will be provided to meet the start-up date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12523/97]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. O'Shea)

The provision of services to persons with a mental handicap in the Western region, 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 for the provision of new residential-respite and day care places in 1997 for persons with a mental handicap, including those with autism.

Details of the precise services to be put in place in the Western Health Board region have recently been agreed by the Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee in line with the priority needs which were identified for the region. My Department is currently examining these proposals.

In addition to these proposals, the board has also submitted proposals to further enhance the services to persons with autism in the western region, including two of the developments mentioned by the Deputy. Neither my Department nor the Western Health Board are aware of the third project i.e. Autism Service Tools.

I will provide the Deputy with details of the services which have been approved as soon as this process has been completed.