asked the Minister for Health which health boards have appointed directors for mental handicap; and when it is anticipated that such directors will operate in each health board area.

The Eastern Health Board have a full time director of mental handicap. A competition which was held to fill such a post under the Southern Health Board was not successful. The Western Health Board propose to appoint a director of mental handicap.

The Mid-Western and South-Eastern Health Boards have arrangements under which directors of mental handicap employed by voluntary agencies provide services for the boards on a part-time basis. The Midland, North-Eastern and North-Western Health Boards propose to make similar arrangements with voluntary agencies in their areas.

There has been difficulty in filling posts of director of mental handicap due to the shortage of psychiatrists with a special interest in mental handicap and while the position is under consideration I cannot at this stage indicate when a director will be available in each health board area.

Would the Minister agree that, in view of the need to develop the mental handicap service, it would be desirable if a director of mental handicap were to be appointed in each of the health board areas and a service built up under him, and would he take steps to see that there are sufficient trained staff with an interest in mental handicap to bring this about?

I have already explained the difficulty to the Deputy.