Vol. 470 No. 4
89 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to publish the five year plan for tackling the waiting lists for services for the mentally handicapped; the cost of implementing this plan; whether an allocation will be made in the 1997 budget in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19044/96]
The five year plan for the development of services to persons with a mental handicap, including information relating to the cost of its implementation, is currently at an advanced stage of preparation. I expect to be in a position to publish it later this year.
As discussions in relation to overall health expenditure in 1997 are still ongoing, I am not in a position to comment at this stage on any particular area of expenditure.
