More than 150 organisations affiliated to the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland have criticised the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, for failing to publish a five year plan on the future of mental handicap. The plan was due last year.
In a statement the association said it has "led to fears that this most vulnerable group in our society will be overlooked". It said progress made on the elimination of waiting lists will be damaged unless significant funding is announced in the Budget.