I have been informed by the South Western Area Health Board that, despite the availability of funding and repeated and exhaustive efforts in Ireland and internationally, the board was unable to recruit adequate consultant cover for Courthall, the facility referred to by the Deputy. In the context of the overall strategic plans for the child and adolescent psychiatric services in the board's area, the use of its inpatient facilities was reviewed. In light of its review, health board management worked with staff to create a new service model which could address the need for a high quality, comprehensive inpatient service for young people with mental health problems. Without the requisite senior medical cover it was not possible to deliver such a service on the Courthall site. As a result, a consolidation of inpatient services is now taking place which will allow for a significant enhancement of services at Warrenstown House, another child and adolescent psychiatric inpatient facility operated by the South Western Area Health Board. The facility at Courthall is now being utilised by the South Western Area Health Board's child care services where it provides valuable accommodation to the mainstream residential programme.
