Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 8

Written Answers. - Áras Attracta (Mayo) Centre.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

146 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health when additional funding will be provided to the Western Health Board to open the remaining places at Áras Attracta Centre for the mentally handicapped at Swinford, County Mayo which are so badly needed.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I would like to inform the Deputy that 141 residential places, day places for 13 people and six places for respite care have been commissioned to date in Áras Attracta, Swinford. This includes the 15 residential places provided this year from the additional funds made available for the development of mental handicap services.

It also includes places for 40 people with mental handicap transferred by the Western Health Board from St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar this year.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I am committed to the opening of the remaining 40 residential places at Áras Attracta. These places will be commissioned in line with the priorities agreed by the Western region Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee in the light of any additional resources made available in 1993 and future years for this purpose.