Vol. 512 No. 3
205 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children when the working group on the care of the disturbed mentally ill last met; the reason it has not met since that date; the status of this working group; if he will ensure that a meeting will be convened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25813/99]
The working group on the care of the disturbed mentally ill met on ten occasions between January and November 1995. At its last meeting on 30 November 1995, it was agreed that the matter would best be progressed by the preparation by the Department of a discussion document. A position paper on the management of disturbed behaviour within the mental health services was prepared by my Department and circulated to each health board for their views and comments in December 1998.
The replies received from health boards are currently under consideration and it is proposed to meet with the health boards in the near future to discuss the development of secure units for the disturbed mentally ill.
206 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is in receipt of a recommendation from the South Eastern Health Board regarding a tender and contractor to erect a new acute psychiatric unit at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; if so, when a decision will be made; the commencement date for the project; and the timeframe for completion. [25846/99]
Funding for the proposed acute psychiatric unit at St. Luke's Hospital was sanctioned in July 1999. I have recently given approval to the tender submitted by the South Eastern Health Board for this project. It is envisaged that the contractors will go on site early next year and that the project will be completed in 2001.
