Vol. 508 No. 3
233 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the canteen and shop facilities for patients at St. Finan's Hospital, Killarney, County Kerry, are only open for 14 hours per week due to cutbacks within the Southern Health Board; if he will direct the board to revert back to opening the facility for 32 hours per week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19027/99]
Planning for the Future recommended the development of a comprehensive community oriented mental health service as an alternative to institutional care for persons with mental illness. This has led to a steady decline in the number of in-patients in St. Finan's Hospital and the sale of goods in the shop and the canteen has dropped accordingly. In view of this and of the fact that existing patients prefer to purchase some of their requirements outside the hospital and avail of the facilities in Killarney, the Southern Health Board, in consultation with staff and patients, reduced the opening hours of the facility to 15 hours per week. This mirrors operational hours of shops in other psychiatric facilities within the board.
A further decline in numbers is anticipated in the future with the continued relocation of patients to community facilities and it is felt that the revised opening hours will adequately meet the needs of the patients and staff.
