A plan to provide services for people with intellectual disabilities and remove those inappropriately placed in psychiatric hospitals within five years is being drawn up by the Mid-Western Health Board.
Mr Ger Crowley, assistant chief executive, told yesterday's board meeting that a "person-centred" service needed to be developed which would provide a continuous life-cycle model of support.
"The transfer of those persons with an intellectual disability who are inappropriately placed in Our Lady's Hospital, Ennis, to appropriate community facilities will be completed," he said.
The hospital is being sold to Shannon Development for £2.5 million following the implementation of a dispersal programme and will be developed into a technology park.
Mr Crowley said 36 people with an intellectual disability were being transferred from St Joseph's Hospital, Limerick, to the Daughters of Charity services. Others inappropriately placed in psychiatric hospitals or other institutions would be relocated within five years.
"Current thinking favours the model that encompasses support in group homes or in individually-managed accommodation as the ideal form of provision. Where home and community services are insufficient or no longer sufficient to meet assessed needs, campus-based services are provided," he said.
A comprehensive programme of supports within the community included services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech and language therapy. "Children with an intellectual disability should ideally be integrated into mainstream preschools," he said.
He added that a preventative support network, involving a genetic counselling service, were also being developed.
"The research which indicates that leading a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy makes a significant impact on the health of children has led the health board to augment its interventions among young people who are at risk," he said.