As the Deputy is aware, 515 was the figure published in the national intellectual disability database for 2002. The number of persons with an intellectual disability accommodated in psychiatric hospitals in May 2003 was 438. Between 1999 and 2002 additional revenue funding of €10.476 million and €27.4 million capital funding was allocated to the programme to provide more appropriate care settings for persons with an intellectual disability and those with autism accommodated in psychiatric hospitals, those accommodated in de-designated units, which were formally designated as part of the psychiatric services, and others who moved some years ago from psychiatric hospitals to alternative accommodation which is now unsuitable for their needs.
Of the €15 million capital funding recently allocated to the services for people with an intellectual disability or autism, €985,000 was specifically allocated to a number of the psychiatric hospitals in which people with an intellectual disability or autism are accommodated. This funding will allow the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards to address such areas as the backlog of maintenance, refurbishment, re-equipping, replacement of vehicles used within the services or works related to fire precautions and health and safety issues.
