Tom Moffatt
Ceist:115 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally handicapped patients in St. Ita's, Portrane, County Dublin, at present; and if the conditions and facilities are suitable for those patients. [11977/95]
Vol. 455 No. 2
115 Dr. Moffatt asked the Minister for Health the number of mentally handicapped patients in St. Ita's, Portrane, County Dublin, at present; and if the conditions and facilities are suitable for those patients. [11977/95]
Responsibility for the provision of services at St. Ita's, Portrane, is a matter for the Eastern Health Board. A total of 342 persons with a mental handicap are currently accommodated in St. Joseph's Mental Handicap Service on the campus of St. Ita's Hospital. A further 14 persons with mental handicap live in hostel type residential accommodation on the grounds of St. Ita's.
The Eastern Health Board has prepared a draft plan which addresses the needs of people with mental handicap in St. Joseph's service. The board plans in the medium term to move over 200 of the younger adults with mental handicap to a number of alternative locations spread throughout its area. It is proposed that the clients remaining on the St. Ita's campus will be accommodated in the more modern units on site which are being gradually upgraded.