Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Jan 2000

Vol. 513 No. 1

Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.

Bernard Allen

Question:

438 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the plans, if any, he has to upgrade St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, County Dublin, in view of the fact that it was described as a structural disaster by a doctor (details supplied). [1311/00]

Bernard Allen

Question:

477 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent comments by persons (details supplied) who stated that they were ashamed at the deplorable condition of the facilities in which they are forced to treat patients with psychological problems. [1858/00]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 477 together.

Both questions refer to facilities in St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane. St. Ita's Hospital provides in-patient care and treatment for 300 persons with intellectual disability and 230 persons suffering from mental illness, acute and long term.

I have acknowledged previously that much of the residential accommodation in the main hospital block at St. Ita's is no longer suitable to provide a modern therapeutic service for persons with long-term mental illness. In view of this, I have provided funding for the following upgrade of facilities: (a) two new kitchen dining areas in the services based at Reilly's Hill, capital cost £130,000; (b) replacement of heating system and upgrading which is nearing completion, capital cost £118,000; (c) major upgrading and extension of the acute and assessment units, which is also nearing completion, £750,000.

In addition, I have recently given approval to the provision of a 60-bed acute psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital at a cost of over £5 million. When completed, this will enable the acute facilities at St. Ita's to be transferred to Beaumont which will, in turn, allow the existing extensively upgraded accommodation to be used for alternative care and accommodation.

A major development plan for the intellectual disability services in St. Ita's is currently being implemented. The plan, which will cost £13 million, is being jointly funded by my Department and the Eastern Health Board and provides for the transfer of clients to a number of new residential complexes off the St. Ita's campus and for the development of new residential and day facilities on campus, together with the refurbishment of some existing facilities. A new residential and day services complex is currently being completed at Oldtown, County Dublin, and additional revenue funding amounting to £600,000 has been allocated in 2000 to the Eastern Health Board to enable this facility to be opened. The design brief has been completed in relation to the proposed new facilities to be provided on St. Ita's campus and it is hoped to have final design, planning and tendering processes completed and contractors on site towards the end of 2000 or in January 2001.