Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 5

Written Answers. - Mentally Handicapped Services.

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

92 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Health if he has received a submission from the Limerick Parents and Friends Association of the mentally handicapped on the state of the services for the mentally handicapped in the mid-west region; if he has examined the submission; if he regards it as a fair statement of the requirements of the area and in particular the Limerick area for services to the mentally handicapped; the steps he intends taking to accommodate the needs identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I have asked the Mid-Western Health Board to prepare a multi-annual plan for the development of mental handicap services in consultation with the regional mental handicap co-ordinating committee. This plan will cover the next five years and will form a regional programme to be implemented in accordance with available resources for this purpose. The submission from the Limerick Parents and Friends Association, which I have received, will be taken fully into account in the preparation of the plan.

This year approximately £13 million will be spent on services to people with a mental handicap in the mid-western region. Earlier this year I allocated a sum of £150,000 for the provision of an extra 55 day places, six residential places and two community nurses to meet immediate priority needs.