Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
177 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health and Children if there has been discussions between officials of his Department and the health boards and local authority regarding the need to provide appropriate housing in the community which can address the accommodation needs of persons with schizophrenia and their carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23150/04]
View answerThe Inspector of Mental Hospitals has repeatedly expressed his concern about the inadequate supply of appropriate housing in the community for persons suffering mental illness in his annual reports. The inspector has acknowledged the valuable work done by voluntary groups in availing of Department of the Environment and Local Government funding to provide excellent residential facilities throughout the State. Nevertheless, much remains to be done in this area. I assure the Deputy in this regard that the future communitisation of our mental health services, including measures to address the needs of schizophrenia sufferers and their carers, will be considered in the context of the Estimates process for 2005 and subsequent years. Such considerations, as in the past, will involve discussions between officials of the Department of Health and Children and service providers and users.
