Vol. 474 No. 7
67 Mr. N. Treacy asked the Minister for Health the total number of people on residential and day care mentally handicapped waiting lists in the country, in the Western Health Board area and in County Galway; the amount of money being allocated for these services in 1997; the services to be provided in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3970/97]
Information on the number of persons with a mental handicap awaiting placement in either residential or day services is currently being compiled from the national intellectual disability database as part of the preparation of the assessment of need for the development of services to persons with a mental handicap.
Additional funding amounting to £21 million has been made available in 1997 for services to persons with a mental handicap. Two million pounds is being used to meet identified needs in existing services. The remaining £10 million will be used to put in place additional services, including new residential and day care places. Details of the services to be provided and the allocation of this funding between the health boards will be available shortly. I will arrange for this information to be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
