The provision of services for persons with a mental handicap in the Dublin region is a matter, in the first instance, for the Eastern Health Board. The Assessment of Need for Services for Persons with a Mental Handicap 1997-2001 was published by my Department last year. The assessment is based on information from the national intellectual disability database and sets out the level of unmet need and the changing pattern of need over the next few years. As outlined in both Partnership 2000 for Inclusion, Employment and Competitiveness and An Action Plan for the Millennium, the Government is committed to the ongoing development of services for persons with a mental handicap in line with the needs outlined in that assessment.
Additional revenue and capital funding of £16 million was made available for services for persons with a mental handicap in 1998. Revenue funding of £3 million was allocated to the Eastern Health Board region. The precise services put in place with this funding are based on the priorities for service development identified by the Mental Handicap Central Planning Committee for the eastern region. This committee includes representation from St Michael's House.
Last December, I also announced the formation of a £30 million capital programme for mental handicap services which will run over four years in tandem with the Assessment of Need. This programme is essential to ensure the necessary physical infrastructure is in place to enable the new residential and day services to be provided.
