asked the Minister for Health if he will state in respect of the latest date for which figures are available the number of people in the Republic receiving treatment (a) in mental hospitals and (b) as out-patients for mental disorders.

The number of people in this country receiving treatment in mental hospitals on 31st December, 1971, was 15,961. The number of people attending out-patient psychiatric clinics during year ending 31st March, 1971, was 40,644.