asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concern of parents of mentally handicapped children at the lack of employment and care facilities for those over 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Children.
3.
For many years I have been aware that the current level of mental handicap service provision falls short of meeting all requirements, particularly for adults. A comprehensive review of mental handicap services is being carried out by my Department to identify the shortfall and to draw up guidelines for the future development of the service. The review will cover all aspects of the mental handicap services including adult services and is being carried out by way of consultation with persons and organisations involved in the service, including parents' associations. It is expected that the review group's report will be completed this year.
However, without prejudice to the conclusions of the review, discussions are taking place in many areas about the development of services for people with mental handicap. As in the past, it is my intention to protect and develop mental handicap services through the redeployment of resources and the provision of additional resources where possible within the present financial climate.
While acknowledging that handicapped persons, in common with other sections of the community, are experiencing difficulties in securing employment, every effort is being made to ensure that handicapped people get their fair share of employment opportunities. In this regard one of the most recent measures aimed at promoting employment of handicapped workers is the development by the National Rehabilitation Board in agreement with the Departments of Health and Labour, FUE, ICTU, the Institute of Personnel Management and the Union of Voluntary Organisations for the Handicapped of guidelines on the employment of disabled persons. I am confident that these guidelines will improve the employment opportunities of handicapped people.
The Minister will agree that much of our health services seem to be eternally under review. My question relates to the grave concern of the parents of mentally handicapped children. Can the Minister indicate to the House the number of such handicapped persons in the country who are not in a caring institution, or are not in any way usefully or gainfully employed? Can he give the House an indication today as to how many opportunities or places for handicapped people will be made available this year and what plans the Government have to ensure that adequate places are provided for these people? It is a matter of distressing concern to the hundreds of parents throughout the country not knowing what will happen to their children when they reach the age of 17 or 18 years and have to leave the institutions they grew up in.
I must dissuade the Deputy from making a speech.
Can the Minister give a more encouraging and a more positive response and a greater assurance to these parents that something definitely will be done?
I do not have the figures the Deputy requires but they are readily available. I accept that there is a problem and, indeed, has been a problem for many years, particularly in the placement of mentally handicapped adults. One of the reasons I am anxious to have this review completed is to see how we can move rapidly towards finding some solution to that problem. Much has been done in the last year to facilitate mentally handicapped adults, including allocations from the national lottery.
In relation to the employment element in this question, would the Minister accept that the public service has failed to meet its commitment under the 3 per cent quota scheme that was worked out in 1977? Would the Minister agree that the present figure of 1.3 persons employed in the public sector falls very far short of that agreed 3 per cent? Does he not think that the time has now come to make a fresh attempt within the public service to meet that target of 3 per cent, which was a very modest target, and that each department within the public service should look to themselves to meet the obligations already worked out in advance of any review body that the Minister has set up? Would the Minister have a word with the Departments in this respect?
I agree with the Deputy that every Department should make an effort to employ the 3 per cent. The guidelines which I have referred to are designed to encourage all enterprises in both the public and private sector to adopt a more positive policy towards the employment of handicapped persons and to provide them with advice and information for this purpose. The guidelines are in two parts: the first part sets out the elements which should go to make up company policy on the employment of handicapped persons and the second part gives guidelines and information to assist in the implementation of that policy.
I wish to ask the Minister a short question with regard to the plight of mentally handicapped persons whose parents are elderly. There are increasing numbers of cases where elderly parents are caring for handicapped sons and daughters. In the review that is being carried out, will the Minister ensure that specific attention is paid to that problem?
I accept what the Deputy says. This is not a new problem. For many years there has been difficulty in relation to the placement of the adult mentally handicapped. I am glad to say that since coming into office the voluntary organisations, which do so much in this field, have been protected against any savings in my Department.
My question is similar to Deputy De Rossa's. Would the Minister not accept that this is a critical area, the older mentally handicapped persons in their forties or fifties under the care of ageing relatives who have no future mapped out for them on the death of their parents? Has the Minister any plans to address this problem in a particular way? This is particularly critical because, since the mentally handicapped are living longer, this will be a growing problem. Are there any instructions to social workers——
This is a very long question.
Have we a register of these people? Have we any way of reaching out to them to ensure that they are not left isolated in homes following the death of their parents? Would the Minister accept that this is a critical area which deserves attention in the context of any review?
I accept that there is a particular problem in relation to the placing of the adult mentally handicapped. One of the functions of the review committee will be to look at all the services that are available and try to co-ordinate them so that the necessary service will be available to the mentally handicapped. I am glad to see a number of organisations already provide respite centres. Aged parents have no need to be concerned that, after their death, their adult mentally handicapped dependants will not be catered for. I am not aware of any instance in this country where a mentally handicapped person was neglected because there was nobody in the community to look after them.
Question No.4
Deputy Desmond and Deputy Quill rose.
I have allowed a lot of supplementaries on this question.
May I ask one supplementary?
I will hear a brief supplementary from Deputy Quill and then from Deputy Desmond.
What percentage of the people employed in the Department of Health are disabled?
I do not have that figure here.
Has any recent money from the national lottery been allocated to this area?
Yes. Perhaps I might tell the Deputy the larger amounts that have been allocated: £300,000 of national lottery funds has been provided for the purchase of suitable houses as hostels for persons who are resident in St. Vincent's Centre on the Navan Road; £100,000 has been provided to the Kerry Parents and Friends of the Mentally Handicapped and £100,000 has been provided for the Brothers of Charity in Athenry to provide a workshop. As I said, these are some of the larger amounts allocated, but smaller sums have been allocated, too.