Vol. 560 No. 1
612 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the lack of action regarding hundreds of psychiatric patients that have a tendency to violence; and if he will intervene urgently in order to prevent serious injury and deaths in society and ensure that these violent people get the maximum assistance and services. [1048/03]
Patients with psychiatric illnesses that have a propensity to violence require psychiatric services that are tailored to their needs. These include forensic and community psychiatric services. The Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, is the national forensic service, which caters for patients which present the greatest risk.
A review group on the future of the Central Mental Hospital submitted its report to the Department of Health and Children in 2002. The report includes plans to modernise, refurbish and extend the existing building and to provide a new residence on the campus. Overall capacity would increase from 90 to 120. A special project team, representative of all the main stakeholders, including the Irish Prisons Service, is now being established to progress the re-development as quickly as possible.
Representatives from my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Central Mental Hospital, the Irish Prisons Service and the East Coast Area Health Board are currently formulating a service level agreement with a view to enhancing the services provided to the prisons by the Central Mental Hospital.
My Department is also in discussion with a number of health boards with a view to developing regional forensic services.
