asked the Minister for Health how many applications have been made to the Health Authorities of Sligo and Leitrim by the parents and guardians of mentally-defective children for admission to institutions caring for such children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally-Defective Children in Sligo-Leitrim.
12.
I assume that the information which the Deputy seeks relates to those cases for whom the health authorities concerned have not yet secured suitable residential accommodation. The number of such applications is 23 for Sligo—15 boys and eight girls—and 16 for Leitrim—eight boys and eight girls.
Every effort is being made to provide sufficient residential accommodation for all those mentally handicapped children who need institutional care. The number of places available in the special institutions for mentally handicapped children has been almost doubled in the last ten years and works have been approved which will provide a further 300 places.