2,200 mentally disabled lack services

More than 2,200 intellectually disabled people are without vital services or a major element of services, according to new figures.

The National Intellectual Disability Database for 2002 shows that, despite increased Government investment in recent years, the level of need is still significant.

Disability campaigners say that, in the absence of proper services such as speech therapy and occupational therapy, the condition of people with disabilities inevitably deteriorates.

They also say hundreds of families are being forced to care for people with profound intellectual disabilities at home because of the lack of adequate day and residential care.

Since 1996 there has been significant growth in the provision of services, but the report's authors say waiting lists remain long, due largely to better standards of care and improved life expectancy among intellectually disabled adults.

The number of such adults aged 35 and over has increased by almost 17 per cent during the last six years.

Almost 25,000 people were registered on the database in 2002, with 90 per cent in receipt of some specialised service.

However, the report says 1,633 full-time residential places and almost 700 day programmes are required to meet the needs of the 2,262 people without services or a major portion of services.

The number of people without services in 2002 decreased by 9 per cent compared to the previous year.

The report also says 515 intellectually disabled people were accommodated in psychiatric hospitals, a practice which has been repeatedly criticised by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Overall, the number living in psychiatric hospitals has fallen by 162 since 2001. The report's authors, Ms Fiona Mulvaney and Mr Steve Barron, say 380 individuals living in those locations have been identified as needing to transfer to more appropriate accommodation.

The National Association of the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland, however, expressed concern yesterday that a slowdown in funding for the sector this year would see waiting lists grow again.

After originally deciding not to give any funding increases for the disability area this year, following the Special Olympics the Government agreed in July to provide an extra €50 million.

There have been question marks over the quality of records kept by health boards relating to the sector, which were used to compiled the database report.

In the report, the chairman of National Intellectual Disability Committee, Mr Brendan Ingoldby, underlined the need to review the figures on an ongoing basis to ensure they were accurate for the planning and delivery of services.

Some of the key developments highlighted in the report since records began in 1996 include a 37 per cent rise in the number of intellectually disabled living in full-time residential placements in the community.

It also says there has been a 165 per cent rise in the provision of intensive placements designed to meet the needs of people with challenging behaviour, while respite services have increased by 255 per cent.

However, there are still major challenges ahead, with more than 12,500 people identified as needing alternative, additional or enhanced services within the next five years.

Ms Deirdre Carroll, of the Mentally Handicapped Association, said that some strides had been made in recent years, but there serious deficits still existed in the area of residential and respite care.

"The money has gone in in recent years, but this needs to continue because the average cost of providing places is getting more expensive," she said.

"We hope the Disability Bill will help by bringing more clarity to the right to services."