Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
913 Mr. O’Dowd asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the recent representations from the Central Mental Hospital relatives group regarding the relocation of the Central Mental Hospital, in particular the need for proper consultation involving parties in the provision of a modern high quality service. [22275/04]
View answer930 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children his proposals in relation to the future of the Central Mental Hospital at Dundrum, with an indicative timetable and cost. [22457/04]
View answer939 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the reported plan to sell the land at Dundrum Central Mental Hospital and not to locate mentally ill patients on the same complex as Mountjoy Prison. [22534/04]
View answer956 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the opinion of Schizophrenia Ireland that relocating the Central Mental Hospital on the same site as a new prison would be inappropriate and could lead to the improper stigmatising of patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22845/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 913, 930, 939 and 956 together.
Proposals for the development of a new Central Mental Hospital are under consideration in my Department. The majority of admissions to the Central Mental Hospital come from within the prison service. Accordingly, ease of access between the main Dublin prisons and the hospital would be of importance and I understand that the location of the hospital adjacent to a prison would have operational benefits for the prison service. On the other hand, it must be borne in mind that the Central Mental Hospital is a therapeutic, healthcare facility. I fully agree with families and carers who feel that it would not be desirable that the hospital be perceived as, or closely identified with, a prison complex.
I understand that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has advanced proposals to develop a new prison complex replacing Mountjoy. I recognise the potential benefits of close co-operation between that project and the re-development of the Central Mental Hospital and I will be asking my officials to consider how the matter might be progressed to the mutual benefit of both services.
