Vol. 500 No. 4
255 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children if additional funding will be provided to an organisation (details supplied) in County Wicklow to meet the needs of those with mental handicap in view of the reduction in funding in 1999; the number of people on waiting lists for day places, residential places and respite places for those with mental handicap in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4110/99]
The Deputy has indicated that there has been a reduction in funding to the agency in question. In fact the agency's allocation in 1999 has been increased by an additional £536,000 in respect of both new and existing services.
In relation to waiting lists for services to persons with a mental handicap in the County Wicklow area, I have been informed by the Eastern Health Board that there are currently 12 persons waitlisted for residential services. Of the 12 persons waitlisted, all avail of regular respite from a new five place respite house developed this year from the additional funding provided to the agency in question and from two respite places which were put in place last year, giving a total of seven full time respite places. There are currently 31 persons waitlisted for day services in the County Wicklow area. Nine of these will receive day services from the agency in question from within the increased allocation and four other clients are in day services with another agency. This leaves 18 persons who are awaiting placement in day services.
