Jim Higgins
Ceist:5 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the total number of mentally handicapped patients in County Mayo; the number of patients in the county who are in receipt of service; and the number who receive no service at present.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Patients.
Jim Higgins
Ceist:8 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for Health the estimated full patient/staff complement at the £10 million Áras Attracta complex for the mentally handicapped at Swinford, County Mayo; the number of staff and patients at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 and 8 together.
In common with other health boards, the Western Health Board have been requested to prepare a multi-annual plan to meet the future requirements of the mental handicap service in a planned co-ordinated way. There are at present 1,020 persons in County Mayo on the register for the mentally handicapped. All these persons who require services are getting a service. The recent budget allocation for mental handicap has provided for an additional 45 residential/day places in County Mayo.
Because of the size and complexity of the Áras Attracta Centre, and the need for regard to other priorities in mental handicap provision, the development of the centre has had to proceed on a phased basis. At the moment there are 39 residents in the centre and this will increase to a minimum of 54 by May with a staff complement of 54. The future phased opening of the remaining residential facilities will form part of the co-ordinated multi-annual plan mentioned above. The centre was designed to provide accommodation ultimately for 186 residents. The staff complement required to cater for this number of residents will be a matter for decision in the light of the needs of persons to be catered for.
Is the Minister of State aware that this very expensive and modern facility is totally under-utilised? Will he give a commitment to the House that the original plans for its full development will now be given the go-ahead and that it will be fully utilised in future?
I am fully aware of the quality of the building and the facilities in Áras Attracta. In the light of the report of the co-ordinating committee within the Western Health Board and in the light of modern health management and advice for the mentally handicapped, the centre will be utilised to the maximum.
When?
As demands and opportunities present themselves in line with modern health care management for the mentally handicapped.