Vol. 421 No. 5
93 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Health the total cost of the new 31 bed unit at the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum, Dublin 14; the reason it was never occupied since it was completed in 1987; the plans, if any, there are to ensure that the unit will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The building costs of the new 31 bed unit amounted to approximately £2.8 million with additional commissioning costs of £300,000.
The Eastern Health Board is responsible for the management of the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum. The board has adopted a development plan for the operation of a national forensic service at the hospital, which includes the 31 bed unit. This plan has been agreed with my Department. Part of the new unit is currently being used by patients of the hospital.
When the 31 bed unit was competed in 1986 there was a lack of agreement about the most appropriate use of the facility. The matter has now been resolved. The Eastern Health Board expects that the new unit will become fully operational later this year following the recruitment of psychiatric nurses and the successful conclusion of discussions with staff associations representing the interests of personnel employed at the Central Mental Hospital.
