asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally retarded children in Dublin who are awaiting admission to institutions for educational treatment; and the plans prepared to provide the necessary accommodation for these children.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Retarded Children.
77.
I presume the Deputy's question relates to the special residential institutions for the care, education and treatment of mentally handicapped children. On 31st March of this year, there were 93 such children on Dublin Health Authority's waiting list.
On 23rd February last, I gave the House a detailed statement showing that for the country as a whole nearly 500 additional places in special institutions had been provided over the previous two years and outlining further extensions and developments which I hoped would result in a very great easing of the problem of residential care over the next two years.
I do not wish to conflict with the Minister's definition of "autistic" or otherwise.
There is nothing about "autistic" in Question No. 77.
Retarded children?
There is nothing about autistic children.
Is it not a fact that the reason these services are not provided is that they are too costly?
I will not allow the Deputy to proceed. He is trying to go back on the question on which I refused a supplementary.
That is an allegation typical of Deputy Harte and completely without foundation. It has about as much foundation as most of the other nonsense Deputy Harte engages in.
The Minister knows it is a fact.
It is not a fact. I decline to allow Deputy Harte to have the last word on this.
The Deputy is endeavouring to go back to the question on which I refused the supplementary question. I will not allow it.
And get it on the records of the House.
I will not allow the Minister to answer or the Deputy to ask a question.