§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many mobility dwellings designed to meet the criteria specified in the Department of the Environment's Occasional Paper 2/74 are available for disabled people in Northern Ireland;
(2) how many mobility dwellings designed to meet the criteria specified in the Department of the Environment's Occasional Paper 2/74 are available for disabled people in each area health board ;
(3) what is his estimate of the number of persons under pensionable age living in warden-assisted housing in the community in Northern Ireland ;
(4) if he will list the number of proposals, starts and completions of mobility 148W dwellings in Northern Ireland in t112, last year for which figures are available ;
(5) if he will list the number of proposals, starts and completions of wheelchair dwellings in Northern Ireland in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Carter:This information is not readily available. I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is his estimate of the number of disabled adults in Northern Ireland, living in the community, in each of the categories of handicap used by Amelia Harris in her 1968–69 survey of disabled people in Great Britain ;
(2) what is his estimate of the number of disabled children in Northern Ireland, living in the community, in each of the categories of handicap used by Amelia Harris in her 1968–69 survey of disabled people in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Carter:The Amelia Harris survey related to handicapped and impaired people aged 16 and over living in private households in Great Britain. Children under the age or 16 were not included. The survey did not extend to Northern Ireland, and in view of the wide variations in the incidence of handicap which it revealed in different regions in Great Britain any estimates for Northern Ireland which might be prepared on the basis of the figures for Great Britain would be unreliable.
The hon. Member will be interested to know that plans to carry out a comprehensive survey of the handicapped in Northern Ireland are at an advanced stage. It is hoped that the survey will provide a firm basis for future planning of services for the handicapped and that it will also assist in identifying those individuals who are most in need of help.
The Department of Health and Social Services attaches a high priority to the development of services for the handicapped, and an additional £2 million is to be provided over the next four years to enable Health and Social Services Boards to build up their community and domiciliary services with particular reference to those provided for the handicapped.
Within the general field of services for the handicapped a great deal of attention 149W is also being given to the mentally handicapped. The period of consultation which followed on the issue of a consultative document on the future of the services for the mentally handicapped has now ended and the Department of Health and Social Services intends to issue a policy statement soon.
§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his estimate of the number of disabled adults in residential homes in Northern Ireland.
§ Mr. Carter:2,576 physically and mentally handicapped adults were living in residential homes at 31st December 1975. This is the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what action he is taking to ensure that all new schools and places of further education are provided with facilities for disabled people; if he will issue instructions similar to those of his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science in her letter to chief architects of local education authorities in England in January 1977; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Carter:I shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Fittasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied that all new buildings to which the public will have access are being provided with facilities for disabled people; what action he is taking to ensure this; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Carter:Until adequate facilities for the disabled are made available in all such new buildings as a matter of course, I cannot be completely satisfied. However, the position continues to improve, and I hope shortly to publish proposals for a draft order to amend the existing NI Building Control Regulations. This will, inter alia, allow for the introduction by regulation of standards covering matters such as access for the disabled. Similar powers exist in Great Britain under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Meanwhile, existing arrangements continue whereby guidance is issued by Government Departments in NI to ensure that suitable provision is 150W made as far as is practicable and reasonable to meet the needs of the disabled.