asked the Minister for Health the number of adult training centres for the mentally handicapped in this country; and the total number of places afforded by these centres.

I am not clear as to what the Deputy has in mind when he refers to training centres but there are 14 residential centres providing for the adult mentally handicapped and eight day centres. All these centres are operated by voluntary bodies. In addition, health boards provide approximately 3,000 places for the adult mentally handicapped. Training and occupation is provided in all centres, but statistics regarding the actual number receiving training are not available.

Is it not desirable that these figures should be acquired?

We are carrying out a census of handicapped children but I dare say we will probably find out in the course of the census the number of people receiving training, the number of people who have sheltered employment and so on.

Is the census under way already?

Not yet but it is being prepared.

9.

asked the Minister for Health the total number of day centres for the mentally handicapped in this country; and the number of persons under 21 years of age attending these centres.

The number of centres where services for the mentally handicapped are provided on a day basis is 32. This figure does not include the special schools and classes for the mentally handicapped which are the responsibility of the Minister for Education.

Most of the persons attending would be under the age of 21 but exact statistics are not available.