Michael Smith
Ceist:77 Mr. M. Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will approve a grant towards the costs of respite activities for children at the Guardian Angel School, Pallotine College, Thurles, County Tipperary. [19095/95]
Written Answers. - Thurles (Tipperary) School Grant.
Responsibility for the provision of services to persons with a mental handicap in north Tipperary is a matter, in the first instance, for the Mid-Western Health Board. Priority needs within the region are identified by the Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee which is representative of the health board, the major service providers and parents-families of persons with a mental handicap.
Services in the Guardian Angel PreSchool, Thurles are provided by a voluntary group. The day service receives some funding by means of a section 65 grant from the Mid-Western Health Board, with the remaining running costs being met through fund-raising. It is staffed by a daily rota of voluntary helpers, with assistance by way of nursing input provided from St. Anne's Centre, Roscrea.
St. Anne's Centre, Roscrea is the main service provider in the north Tipperary area and provides residential respite facilities for both adults and children with a mental handicap. These respite facilities have been developed over the last few years in line with the priorities identified by the Mid-Western Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee.
I understand from the Mid-Western Health Board that no application for a grant towards the cost of respite activities has been received from the Guardian Angel School.