§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he proposes to increase day service provision for the mentally handicapped in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HanleyThe management and delivery of services at local level are the responsibility of health and social services boards. Boards are expected to determine the level of service to be provided in their respective areas.
Day care is recognised as a fundamental component of community services for people with a mental handicap. The importance of day services was stressed in the Health and Personal Social Services Regional Strategy for Northern Ireland (1987–1992); in the policy paper on community care for the 1990s, "People First"; and in the draft Regional Strategic Framework (1992–1997) which was issued recently for consultation.