Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 6

Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.

Richard Bruton

Question:

224 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself with the staffing levels available to the admission unit in St. Ita's Hospital, County Dublin; if this unit has been evaluated by the Inspector of Mental Hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26769/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The unit is inspected each year by the Inspector of Mental Hospitals as part of the annual inspection of St. Ita's Hospital. A sum of £550,000 was allocated to the Eastern Health Board in 1998 for upgrading the admission unit in St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane. The upgrading work has led to inevitable disruptions to daily ward routines and additional staff have been assigned to the unit as required. This work is now nearing completion. I am advised that the present staffing levels are considered adequate based on current level of activity and the number of patients.

Richard Bruton

Question:

225 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress, if any, made in providing a psychiatric unit in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and the reason for the delay in implementing this proposal. [26770/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen): A brief for the design team on the development of an acute psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital was agreed between the Eastern Health Board, Beaumont Hospital and my Department in 1998. However, early in 1999, the Eastern Health Board put forward a proposal for a day hospital for the psychiatry of old age, to be situated on the Beaumont Hospital site and developed as an integral part of the department of psychiatry. This proposal had the support of the management of Beaumont Hospital and of a consultant psychiatrist in the hospital. The delay in appointing a design team for the project has been due to the necessity for an examination by my Department of the day hospital proposal. I would like to assure the Deputy, however, that I remain committed to the provision of an acute psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital and I hope to make progress on the project as quickly as possible.