Vol. 529 No. 1
643 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will introduce parity between the allowance for foster care and for the boarding out of mental health patients in the Western Health Board area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1656/01]
644 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans he has to expand the boarding out of mental health patients scheme to other parts of the country in view of the report which he has received from the Western Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1657/01]
645 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will approve additional funding for the boarding out of mental health patients in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1658/01]
646 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has reviewed the report submitted to this Department by the Western Health Board on the boarding out scheme in County Roscommon; when he will implement the proposals in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1659/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 643 to 646, inclusive, together.
I understand the Deputy is referring to the foster care system which currently exists in relation to psychiatric out-patients in County Roscommon. The clients of this system are not boarded out patients as defined in sections 209, 210 and 211 of the Mental Treatment Act, 1945, as amended.
I have no plans to provide additional funding for this scheme or for its extension to other areas of the country. My Department has agreed with the management of the Western Health Board that this foster care service will be phased out over the coming years, to be replaced by more appropriate arrangements. This will involve the putting in place of a range of hostels to be supervised by qualified psychiatric nursing staff and complemented by day care support and rehabilitation-vocational training. Officials from my Department will be meeting with the health board shortly to discuss these developments further.
