Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.
Ruairí Quinn
Ceist:
78
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
if he has received from health boards details of the number of persons with intellectual disability accommodated in psychiatric hospitals; the plans which the boards have to meet the needs of this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[9999/01]
From information recently received from the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards, 645 persons with an intellectual disability are currently accommodated in psychiatric hospitals. Details of the breakdown between the various boards and the authority are set out in the following table.
|
Health Board/Authority
|
Number of Persons
|
|
Eastern Regional Health Authority
|
291
|
|
Midland
|
26
|
|
Mid-Western
|
85
|
|
North-Eastern
|
19
|
|
North-Western
|
15
|
|
South-Eastern
|
116
|
|
Southern
|
33
|
|
Western
|
60
|
|
Total
|
645
|
Details of the plans which the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the health boards have for this population group are as follows:
Eastern Regional Health Authority – 291
Some 275 persons with an intellectual disability are currently accommodated in St. Joseph's intellectual disability service on the St. Ita's campus. St. Joseph's intellectual disability service provides residential care in dedicated accommodation on the campus and is separate from the mental health service. Some 30 residents are scheduled to transfer to purpose built accommodation in Oldtown, County Meath, in the current year. Planning is at an advanced stage for similar bungalow complexes on the hospital campus to accommodate a further 60 residents. The development plans for the Northern Area Health Board for the next five years provide for the transfer of the remaining residents in St. Joseph's services to more appropriate accommodation, which will include both refurbished and purpose built accommodation.
Two of the remaining 16 persons are appropriately placed within the mental health services and the needs of the 14 others will be reviewed as part of the ongoing development of the services.
Midland Health Board – 26 persons
A project team has been established to plan and implement a programme to provide alternative placements for those accommodated in St. Fintan's and St. Loman's, in addition to the de-designated units in St. Peter's, Castlepollard, Alvernia Centre and Lough Sheever and to enhance the overall level of services available to these centres. Four properties have been purchased to date, in addition to a site in Clara, County Offaly, on which a number of bungalows are to be built. A project manager is being appointed to oversee the implementation of this programme.
Mid-Western Health Board – 85 persons
A total of 36 persons will, over the next few weeks, begin to move from St. Joseph's Hospital, Limerick, to new facilities in the Daughters of Charity Services, Lisnagry. A new unit has been built for 25 persons accommodated in Our Lady's, Ennis. Plans are currently being prepared for the remaining 24 persons in St. Joseph's, Limerick.
North-Eastern Health Board – 19 persons
The board is in the process of re-locating the small number of persons remaining in St. Brigid's Hospital, Ardee. Six persons will transfer to a community group home in July and discussions are taking place with St. Mary's, Drumcar, concerning alternative placements for a further four persons.
North-Western Health Board – 15 persons
The remaining 15 persons resident in St. Conal's Hospital did not want to move when others were given alternative accommodation some years ago. All are now elderly and will be moved later this year to appropriate placements within the geriatric services.
South-Eastern Health Board – 116 persons
A total of 21 persons will be moving from St. Canice's Hospital, Kilkenny, to new purpose built accommodation later this year. A similar facility for a further 21 persons from Kelvin Grove, Carlow, is at an advanced stage of planning. A premises to accommodate eight persons from St. Senan's Hospital, Enniscorthy, has been identified and discussions are taking place with the board concerning plans for the remaining clients in this hospital. Funding has also been provided for alternative day facilities for persons accommodated in St. Luke's Hospital, Clonmel.
Southern Health Board – 33 persons
Some 29 of the 45 persons with an intellectual disability who were accommodated in St. Finan's Hospital, Killarney, have moved to new purpose built facilities. It was intended that the remaining 16 persons would transfer to community based services with Kerry Parents and Friends Association. However, it now appears that only six persons will move to the community, with the remaining persons requiring a psychogeriatric service. Funding has been allocated to enable this process to commence. The majority of the remaining 17 persons currently accommodated within the other psychiatric facilities within the board's services require a psychogeriatric service.
Western Health Board – 60 persons
Some 28 persons will be transferred from St. Brigid's, Ballinasloe, this year to community based facilities and to a purpose built facility for 12 persons. Between ten to 12 persons from St. Mary's Hospital will be transferred to Aras Attracta, Swinford. Discussions will take place over the coming months with the board in respect of their plans for the remaining 20 persons.
As the Deputy will appreciate, much progress has been made in recent years in meeting the needs of this population group and I would like to assure him that this Government is committed to an ongoing programme of investment in this area.
