A number of elements of the programme announced in 1998 in respect of St. Joseph's intellectual disability services, St. Ita's Hospital, have been put in place. The new bungalow and day services complex in Clonmethan was completed and is now fully occupied. The cost of this development was met by the Northern Area Health Board. A total of €1.27 million has been spent on the refurbishment of existing facilities within the services. The cost of the new bungalow complex for 60 persons on the grounds of the hospital campus is being met through capital funding provided from the national development plan by my Department and moneys obtained by the Eastern Regional Health Authority, mainly through the sale of land. It is estimated that the cost of this project will utilise the balance of the funding.
A holiday home for the St. Joseph's services was purchased by the board in County Wexford from the grant made available by my Department and is used by the services.