Vol. 551 No. 3
163 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the delay in progressing the campus complex at Portrane, County Dublin, which was intended to cater for people with intellectual disability who are currently accommodated in St. Ita's Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10363/02]
I have been informed by the Eastern Regional Health Authority that the Northern Area Health Board expects to submit an application for planning within the next four weeks in respect of the new residential and day facilities for St. Joseph's intellectual disability services on the St. Ita's campus. It was essential that an overall control plan was developed for the campus as a whole before decisions could be taken on the siting of the new facilities for the St. Joseph's services. While detailed work was ongoing in relation to the brief for the project during this time, definitive plans and costings in relation to the facilities could not be completed until this process had been finalised.
In addition, the authority has informed me that more than £1 million in capital funding was invested in existing facilities in St. Joseph's intellectual disability services between 2000 and 2001 to improve infrastructure, services and facilities for residents. Additional funding amounting to €127,000 was provided by my Department in 2002 specifically to enhance the level of day and other support services provided by St. Joseph's services. My Department is working closely with the authority and the Northern Area Health Board in relation to developments for St. Joseph's services with a view to moving these forward as quickly as possible.
