Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 January 2018
924. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 21 November 2017, his plans for a national forensic mental health intensive care rehabilitation unit, ICRU, to be constructed in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55279/17]
View answerAs indicated in my reply of 21 November last, and also a follow-up response of 7 December last to the Deputy from the Health Service Executive, Phase 2 of the National Forensic Mental Health capital project envisages the provision of regional Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units (ICRUs). This will be in addition to the new Unit under construction at Portrane, as part of the overall forensic mental health complex now being developed there. It is intended that additional regional ICRUs will be prioritised within the HSE capital programme over the medium term, as resources allow, and in light of evolving service priorities overall for the mental health. It has been proposed over recent times that such new units be located in the HSE South and HSE West regions, with possibly another located in the Midlands, thus enabling the enhancement of the Forensic Mental Health infrastructure nationally.
The Deputy can rest assured that I, in conjunction with the HSE, will keep the development of the National Forensic Mental Health Service under review, including best meeting the needs of all regions of the country.
