asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that there are at present in Saint Brendan's and Saint Ita's Hospitals, Dublin, a number of young mental patients whose ages range from five to ten years of age; that these patients are in wards with adults, in some cases of opposite sex; and if he will investigate the possibility of having these young persons placed in a separate home under suitable supervision.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Homes for Young Mental Patients.
7.
I would point out that responsibility for the management of St. Brendan's and St. Ita's Hospitals and for the care and maintenance of the patients in them is vested in the Dublin Health Authority.
I am informed that there are at present 25 children of between five and ten years of age in these two hospitals; that 15 of these (nine boys and six girls) are accommodated in a special unit for children at St. Ita's Hospital and that, of the remaining ten children, five boys and one girl are in adult female wards and four boys are in a male infirmary unit.
Proposals have been approved which will provide about 300 extra beds at the existing institutions catering for mentally handicapped children. However, even with the provision of adequate residential accommodation for mentally handicapped persons, it is not unlikely that on occasion the necessity may arise for providing care in a mental hospital for a small number of children who present special problems.