Vol. 457 No. 2
83 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health when the high support hostel at Edgeworthstown, County Longford, will open; the number of staff approved for this unit; the interviews, if any, that have taken place for these positions; the panels, if any, that have been formed for these positions; and the reason there has been such a long delay in opening this much needed unit. [15196/95]
Limerick East): The Midland Health Board is responsible for the delivery of mental health services in its functional area which includes County Longford. I have been informed by the health board that it proposes to use the former convent in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, as a high-support community residential facility. Extensive refurbishment and equipping of the premises has been carried out in recent months.
The number of staff required for the residence is the subject of negotiations between the Midland Health Board and the staff associations. As soon as these are concluded, the residence will open. As in the case of other community facilities, staff at present employed in St. Loman's will have first preference for transfer to the new residence. In the event of an insufficient number of applications for transfer being received, an existing panel will be utilised to fill any remaining vacancies.
