18 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Health the number of additional places that will be provided for services for the mentally handicapped in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the current progress made in reducing the long waiting lists. [9414/96]

The additional funding provided in 1996 for the development of new services for persons with a mental handicap will enable the health boards to put in place between 66 and 70 new residential-respite places and 265 day care places as well as home support services.

As the Deputy is aware, substantial additional funding has been made available in recent years for the development of services to persons with a mental handicap. In the period 1990-95 additional funding amounting to £44.58 million has been invested in the services. New services provided include the development of the home support services and the provision of over 1,000 new residential-respite places and 2,100 new day care places.