Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 May 2004
186 Ms Cooper-Flynn asked the Minister for Health and Children if capital funding will be made available to transfer the 450 persons with a disability who are currently in unsuitable and inappropriate accommodation to suitable accommodation by 2006 in line with the commitment given in the health strategy and the joint programme for Government. [14880/04]
View answerApproximately half of the 438 persons with an intellectual disability or autism who were accommodated in psychiatric hospitals in May 2003 are in St. Joseph's Services, St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane. One of the key capital priorities for my Department is to progress as quickly as possible the development of purpose built residential and day facilities for around 60 persons on the St. Ita's campus. This development is now ready to go to tender.
My Department will continue to work with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the other relevant health boards to progress the programme to provide more appropriate accommodation and to maximise the outcome from the capital resources available to my Department and from other sources.
