Vol. 399 No. 7
54 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the recent call made by the Parents Association for the Mentally Handicapped for the establishment of an all party committee to investigate the provision of care services for people with a mental handicap; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I do not feel that the establishment of a Dáil Committee to investigate the provision of services for people with a mental handicap is necessary at this time, as significant initiatives have already been taken in the planning of services. The Commission on Health Funding have provided a wide ranging review of the organisation of the health services generally, while the report of the review group on mental handicap services is expected shortly. Detailed planning of mental handicap services is being undertaken by regional mental handicap committees, representative of health boards, voluntary agencies and the Department.
