asked the Minister for Health if he will state (a) the number of rehabilitation services for disabled persons set up by health authorities under the provisions of the Health Act, 1953; and (b) the number of persons placed in employment under such schemes.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Rehabilitation Services for Disabled Persons.
The Health Act, 1953, requires health authorities, in accordance with regulations made by the Minister for Health, to make available services for the training of disabled persons for suitable employment. These regulations have not been made pending receipt of a report from the National Organisation for Rehabilitation, which was established by my predecessor with the initial objective of inquiring generally into the problems involved in providing rehabilitation services for the disabled. Limited rehabilitation services are at present available for those who have recovered from infectious diseases: until the report I have referred to is received, it would be imprudent to proceed with their extension to embrace disabled persons generally.
Could the Minister tell me when the committee to which he refers was set up?
On the 13th October, 1955.