Thomas P. Broughan
Question:608 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he is taking to provide urgently needed residential places for adults with learning disability in Dublin's northside. [2161/98]
Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Services.
The provision of services to persons with a mental handicap in Dublin is a matter in the first instance for the Eastern Health Board. I understand from the board that the northside of Dublin, comprising community care areas 6, 7 and 8, has been identified by both the board and the central mental handicap planning committee as a priority area for service development. At present the board and the voluntary mental handicap agencies provide 1,087 residential places and 2,470 day places to persons with a mental handicap in this area.
I was pleased to be able to allocate additional funding of £16 million in 1998 for services to persons with a mental handicap. This includes £7 million which was announced in the budget for the development of new residential, respite and day care places and £3.75 million in the Estimates to meet identified needs in existing services. Capital funding of £5.25 million is also being provided in 1998 to begin the implementation of a £30 million capital programme which I have put in place to run over four years in tandem with the service developments identified in An Assessment of Need for Services to Persons with a Mental Handicap 1997-2001.
Three million pounds of the £7 million revenue funding has been allocated to the Eastern Health Board region for service developments in 1998 based on the priorities which have been identified by the central mental handicap planning committee. I understand from the board that while their proposals in relation to the development of new services in 1998 are still being finalised, it is anticipated that a major portion of the new service developments will be on the northside of the city.