Vol. 443 No. 3
74 Mr. Connor asked the Minister for Health if he has studied the submission from the Western Health Board for funding for the provision of a new site and buildings for the delivery of psychiatric services in Castlerea, County Roscommon, consequent on its disposal of St. Patrick's Hospital to the Department of Justice; and his views on whether there is a need to provide the necessary funding for the proposed development in 1994.
On 8 March 1994 the Government decided that a new prison should be located on the site of St. Patrick's Hospital, Castlerea, County Roscommon and noted that alternative accommodation would have to be provided for patients in the hospital.
The Western Health Board is responsible for the delivery of mental health services in County Roscommon. My Department is at present awaiting a costed proposal from the board for the provision of alternative accommodation. As construction work is due to commence very shortly on the prison development, I can assure the Deputy that these proposals will be given very careful consideration and resources made available when and where appropriate as I consider it important that all patients should be re-located to suitable accommodation as quickly as possible.
