William Cotter
Question:129 Mr. Cotter asked the Minister for Health if he has any plans to dispose of St. Davnet's Hospital, Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Monaghan Hospital.
The future use of St. Davnet's Hospital, Monaghan is the responsibility of the North-Eastern Health Board. The North-Eastern Health Board is in the process of providing a comprehensive, community-based service in place of the traditional model based on the psychiatric hospital. The Green Paper on Mental Health launched by me earlier this month on 3 June, among other things outlines what still needs to be done to complete the transition.
I must emphasise that there is no question of St. Davnet's Hospital, Monaghan or any other psychiatric hospital being closed until adequate community based facilities and services in general hospitals are provided to replace them. This will be done on a phased basis over a number of years. I would hope that it could be achieved as quickly as possible.