Report: 4,500 more intellectually disabled to seek assistance

A record number of people who are registered on the National Intellectual Disability Database sought assistance from Irish health services last year.

The Health Research Board has published a report for 2010 which shows that help was sought by 25,936 people, that is 98% of those registered.

Up to 31% of cases related to full-time residential services.

The Health Research Board has said, based on this data, more than 4,500 new places will be needed to meet demand in the next five years.