asked the Minister for Health whether, when the acute psychiatric unit is opened in Tralee General Hospital, County Kerry, finance will continue to be made available for the acute unit attached to St. Finan's Hospital, Killarney, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on this aspect of the operation of the psychiatric services in Kerry.
Written Answers. - Kerry Psychiatric Services.
90.
The Southern Health Board have informed my Department that they regard the transfer of acute psychiatric facilities for County Kerry from St. Finan's Hospital, Killarney, to Tralee General Hospital as a priority development. Discussions are taking place between health board management and officers of my Department regarding the steps necessary to open the acute psychiatric unit at Tralee General Hospital. When this unit opens, it will deal with all acute psychiatric admissions from County Kerry and there will therefore be no necessity for a continuation of acute services at St. Finan's Hospital. The location of acute psychiatric services at general hospitals is an integral part of accepted policy for the development of psychiatric services as outlined in planning for the Future. However, facilities for other categories of patients will continue to be provided at St. Finan's Hospital for the foreseeable future.