Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 12 Mar 1996

Vol. 462 No. 8

Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.

Michael P. Kitt

Ceist:

96 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Health if a service will be provided in the Ballinasloe area, County Galway, for mentally handicapped children and adults and in particular the provision of a proper workshop and group home in the area; and the action, if any, he has taken on this matter since he met the parents concerned in Ballinasloe in June 1995. [5511/96]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Mr. O'Shea)

The provision of services to persons with a mental handicap in the Ballinasloe area is a matter in the first instance for the Western Health Board. While the Western Health Board does provide some services, I understand from the board that the principal service providers in the area are the Brothers of Charity Services and the Galway County Association.

Service developments to meet identified priority needs in the Western Health Board region are agreed by the Western Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee. This committee, is representative of the Western Health Board, Western Care Association, Brothers of Charity Services, Galway County Association and three parent-family representatives nominated by the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland (NAMHI), one of whom is from the Ballinasloe area.

The Brothers of Charity Services and the Galway County Association have, in fact, carried out an examination of the needs of persons with a mental handicap in the east Galway area. While these needs have been clearly identified, they have not to date been among the urgent priority needs as identified by the Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee.

It is my intention, on completion of the validation process in respect of the National Mental Handicap Database later this year, to initiate a review of the implementation of both policy documents, Needs and Abilities and Services to Persons with Autism with a view to preparing an overall medium term development plan for the services. The development of services in the Ballinasloe area, including the provision of locally based day and residential services, will be incorporated in the plan which is being prepared by the Western Regional Mental Handicap Co-ordinating Committee and which will be submitted by the Western Health Board to my Department.