Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 22 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 5

Written Answers. - Child Care Services.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

112 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children with special needs requiring residential and respite care; the proposals, if any, he has to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10655/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The number of children aged 18 and under with an intellectual disability requiring residential and respite care is set out below, based on information on the national intellectual disability database at 30 September 1996. Updated figures based on the position at December 1998 will be available shortly.

According to the database, there were a total of 9,607 children aged 18 and under with intellectual disability, and of these 8,198 children were receiving day services; 659 children were receiving five day or seven day residential services; 20 children were receiving residential support services, including respite, only; 161 children required a service but were not receiving one; and 569 children had no current service requirements.

These figures reflect the children's primary service. The majority of the children in residential services were also receiving a day service. Some of the children who were in receipt of day services would also have received residential support services, including respite. Day services in this context include a range of educational services, including pre-schools, special schools and mainstream schools.

This year I was pleased to be in a position to provide additional revenue funding of £12 million, with a full year cost of £18 million in 2000, to continue the process of meeting the needs of these children, and also the needs of adults with an intellectual disability. This funding will pro vide approximately 320 new residential places; 80 new respite places and 200 new day places. It will also provide additional health related support services for children with autism, continue the programme to transfer persons with an intellectual disability from inappropriate placements and provide additional specialist and other support services.

Information on children with physical and sensory disabilities, or those with mental health needs, who require residential and respite care is not readily available within my Department. Each health board has been asked to provide the information and I will be in touch with the Deputy directly as soon as the information is received and collated.