Vol. 480 No. 6
276 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funding for a centre in the Western Health Board region with facilities and structured programmes to look after persons with extremely challenging behaviour. [14582/97]
I am assuming that the Deputy's question refers to facilities and programmes for persons with a mental handicap who also present with extremely challenging behaviour.
My Department has had discussions with the Western Health Board about their proposals for the development of services to meet the needs of this client group.
As a first step, £ 11,500 was provided in 1997 for services at Aras Attracta, Swinford. The funding of further development proposals, including those related to the Aras Attracta services, is currently under consideration in the context of any additional funding which may be made available to my Department in 1998 for the development of services to persons with a mental handicap.
