asked the Minister for Health if any discussions have taken place with voluntary organisations regarding the introduction of a quota system on the admission of mentally handicapped children to ensure that existing resources go to those most in need; and, if not, if he will consider such a system.

14.

asked the Minister for Health if he has set a date for the seminar on mental handicap; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.

Discussions on the lines referred to in the Deputy's question have not taken place. I said in the Dáil on 30 November 1977 in the course of a debate during Private Members' Business —Dáil Report, Volume 302, No. 3, column 483—that I have no evidence to justify interfering with the present admission arrangements.

I also said during the debate that I planned to convene a seminar of senior administrative and professional personnel in the mental handicap services, both voluntary and health board, and that the seminar would provide an occasion for a review of our mental Handicap needs and our policies, one of the matters for discussion being admission arrangements. The seminar will be held on 16 February next.

I am glad the Minister has given us a definite date.

Deputy Browne has left. He has been accusing me of putting this on the long finger.

Would the Minister ask the Department to give consideration to a quota system in regard to children?

I can do something more. One of the items in the seminar will be co-operation between health boards and the voluntary organisations. That will be the subject of a paper to be read by an official of the health boards.