asked the Minister for Health if having regard to the large number of mentally defective children awaiting admission to St. Vincent's Home, Annacotty, Limerick, he will sanction the proposals made to him to provide increased accommodation in this institution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - St. Vincent's Home, Annacotty: Increased Accommodation.
7.
Proposals have been made to me to provide increased accommodation at St. Vincent's Home, Annacotty, County Limerick, by means of a scheme of major extensions which would involve heavy expenditure. I have explained to the authorities of the Institution that the resources of the Hospitals Trust Fund for some years to come will be strained to meet existing commitments under the hospital building programme and that in the circumstances a grant to enable a major scheme of extensions to be carried out at this institution could not be considered at this stage.
The provision of accommodation for mentally defective children received special consideration under the post-war hospital building programme and the accommodation previously available has already been more than doubled. As I informed the Deputy last week, in reply to a question on the subject, the total accommodation available at present in mental defective institutions is approximately 2,380 beds. Of these 1,300 (approximately) have been provided since 1948. More over, it is expected that 210 additional beds will become available early next year. Planning for the provision of a further 175 beds is in progress. The Deputy may be assured, therefore, that the problem of providing further accommodation for mentally defective children is not being overlooked. It has, however, to be considered in conjunction with other aspects of the hospital building programme and in the light of the limited funds available.
I appreciate the position in regard to the special problem of this institution. The Minister is aware that there are approximately 160 children awaiting admission and the present accommodation is for 36. Would the Minister give his favourable consideration to a more modest scheme of accommodation than that originally put forward for this home?
I could not commit myself to give any undertaking until I have seen definitive proposals in relation to this or any other institution.