Vol. 488 No. 1
193 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will provide funding to the Western Health Board for the provision of a day care service for mentally ill at Gort, County Galway in response to the local proposal to his Department; if he will give a date for this approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5761/98]
The Western Health Board is responsible for the provision of health services, including mental health services, in its area. In line with a key recommendation of the report on the development of mental health services — Planning for the Future, the board is developing a comprehensive range of community based mental health services, including day services, in each catchment area.
The provision of mental health day care services in Gort, County Galway has been identified as a priority by the Western Health Board. Contact between the board and a local voluntary group has been taking place with a view to the provision of day care services on a partnership basis. The board hopes to be in a position to make a specific proposal to my Department in this regard in the near future and the question of funding the project will be fully considered by my Department at that stage.
