asked the Minister for Health if he has now formulated any proposals following on the seminar on mental handicap convened by his Department.
Ceisteanna—Questions . Oral Answers . - Seminar on Mental Handicap .
31.
: One of the main points emerging from the discussions during the seminar was the need to establish in many areas a service to counsel and support the parents of young mentally-handicapped children living at home. I have set aside some of the financial resources of my Department for that purpose and I have asked the health boards to let me have proposals for suitable schemes following consultation with local mental-handicap interests.
The other main topic touched on during the seminar was the shortage of residential places for the adult mentally-handicapped. I have already made considerable provision for such places in this year's building programme and I shall be considering later this year what further projects may be required in relation to the 1979 capital programme.
During the seminar views were expressed on a number of other facets of the mental handicap services—for example, the development of group homes and hostels and the relationships between the statutory and voluntary agencies.
I will bear these views in mind in relation to the future planning of the services.