Vol. 421 No. 8
156 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the reports which suggest that St. Fintan's Psychiatric Hospital, Portlaoise, County Laois, is one of a number of psychiatric units which will be replaced resulting in the closure of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The future of St. Fintan's Hospital is the responsibility of the Midland Health Board in the first instance. The Midland Health Board is developing a psychiatric service in line with the recommendations of the report Planning for the Future published in 1984. This will lead to the replacement of some older psychiatric hospitals by psychiatric units attached to general hospitals and services in the community. I consider the provision of an acute psychiatric unit at the General Hospital, Portlaoise is a high priority and discussions are under way between officials of my Department and the Midland Health Board to finalise arrangements for the detailed planning of the unit.
I must emphasise that there is no question of St. Fintan's Hospital, Portlaoise 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.
