Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 23 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 2

Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.

John McGuinness

Question:

145 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if all of the files on a person (details supplied) will be issued to their father without further delay; the amount of information which has been issued to date; the type of information which is being withheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24693/03]

John McGuinness

Question:

146 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children, further to Parliamentary Question No. 657 of 29 January 2003, the progress made on establishing an independent inquiry or obtaining a report from the inspector of mental hospitals into the case mentioned; if the matter will be expedited, the report obtained and the family briefed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24694/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.

The Department received a detailed report from the South Eastern Health Board on this matter in January 2003. The report was forwarded to the inspector of mental hospitals. Having considered the report into the circumstances of the deceased's death, the inspector has concluded that no further inquiry is necessary. I understand that the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board provided for the Deputy a detailed account of the care and treatment of the deceased by the Kilkenny mental health services and the circumstances surrounding his subsequent death. The other matters raised by the Deputy are a matter for the chief executive officer of the South Eastern Health Board and I have asked him to reply directly to the Deputy.