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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 1

Written Answers. - Inspectorate of Mental Hospitals.

Bernard Allen

Question:

68 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he proposes to set up an independent inspectorate of mental hospitals which would allow the inspector to operate freely, to report freely and to criticise freely and publicly.

The powers and duties of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals are set out in sections 235 to 248 of the Mental Treatment Act, 1945 as amended by the Mental Treatment Act, 1961. These provisions give the Inspector authority to visit every psychiatric hospital and unit and to report on conditions in psychiatric hospitals. The report of the Inspector for the years 1988 and 1989, which I pubished recently, bears witness to the commitment of the Inspector to his legal responsibilities. The Deputy will be aware that the Inspector was critical of some aspects of our psychiatric services in his report. It is my intention to publish the 1990 Inspector's Report in the near future and the 1991 report as soon as possible, thereafter.

I regard the role of the Inspector of Mental Hospitals in relation to monitoring and reporting conditions in our psychiatric hospitals as essential in ensuring that high standards of care are maintained. The Green Paper on Mental Health which I recently launched includes proposals for enhancing the role of the Inspectorate of Mental Hospitals. Submissions on the future role of the Inspectorate have been received and are being examined in my Department at the moment.

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