Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
39 Dr. Upton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to ensure that the 330 persons with intellectual disabilities who are being treated in psychiatric hospitals are relocated to appropriate accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26323/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of the 330 persons with an intellectual disability or autism who are accommodated in psychiatric hospitals are in St. Joseph's Services, St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane. One of the key capital priorities for my Department is to progress as quickly as possible the development of purpose built residential and day facilities for around 60 persons on St. Ita's campus.
My Department will continue to work with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the other relevant health boards to progress the programme to provide more appropriate accommodation and to maximise the outcome from the capital resources available to my Department and from other sources. This will be undertaken in the context of the multi-annual revenue and capital investment programme for disability specific support services recently announced as part of the national disability strategy.
