Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.

John McGuinness

Question:

338 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department has completed the transfer of a property at Myshall, County Carlow, to the South-Eastern Health Board; if the board has submitted a development plan for the property centred on a proposal that it should be a centre of excellence for the care and treatment of those with autism; if the property is to be sold, if his Department will insist on the proceeds being ring-fenced by the board in order that the project can be sited elsewhere; if he will directly fund such a proposal and assist the board to bring plans forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29818/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

The board informed my Department that it hopes to have the legal process related to the transfer of the property at Myshall, County Carlow, from my Department to the board completed by the end of the year.

At my Department's request, the board's chief executive officer set up a group to examine the potential use of the lands and buildings at Myshall. The terms of reference of the group include: identifying the potential health care uses for the property including but not limited to the proposed use of the property by the Irish Society for Autism; to evaluate the feasibility of each of the proposed developments, including having regard to the location, accessibility, scope for future development, capital costs, revenue costs and potential return on investment in both qualitative and quantitative terms; and to prepare a recommendation on what should be done with the property. The board hopes that the group will report back to it by the end of February 2004 at the latest. The group consists of representatives from the board's technical and financial services, in addition to the disability sector.

It would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the use of the property prior to the group reporting back to the board. My Department will continue to work closely with the board on the matter.

Question No. 339 answered with Question No. 337.