asked the Minister for Health the amount of funds which were made available to cater for the Downs Syndrome Association in the Louth/Meath area in 1989 having regard to the fact that there are only two full time therapists and one physiotherapist to cover the area; if adequate funds will be made available to increase the number employed in the above positions in the 1990 Estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Mental Handicap Association Funding.
92.
There are four full-time and one part time speech therapists, five occupational therapists and three physiotherapists employed by the North Eastern Health Board in the Louth/Meath area. The Deputy's figures relate to Meath only.
The Downs Syndrome Association receive no funding from the North Eastern Health Board. This year an estimated £8.5 million will be spent on services for people with a mental handicap including those with Down's Syndrome, in the board's area. This figure does not include expenditure by other Departments on mental handicap services such as Department of Education expenditure on special schools and classes.
I hope to be in a position to advise the health board of their total 1990 allocation early in December.