Mental Health Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023

Tuesday, 27 June 2023

Questions (706)

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

706. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if he will identify the national mental health policy guiding Cork HSE management in its plans to replace long-stay mental health facilities in hospital campus locations in St. Stephen's Hospital and St. Finbarr's Hospital with new congregated settings involving a 50-bed unit in St. Stephen's Hospital and a 20-bed unit in St. Finbarr's Hospital; if he will provide an estimate of the cost of these services, if they are pursued; if any similar mental health service projects are being proposed in other CHOs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31040/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

In relation to policy component of the question, part of the implementation of Sharing the Vision, Ireland's national mental health policy, has seen the standing up of an Acute Bed Capacity Specialist Group. Established in August 2021, the Group was set up to examine Acute Inpatient (Approved Centre) bed provision, (including Paediatric Intensive Care Units [PICUs]) and to make recommendations on capacity reflective of emerging models of care, existing bed resources and future demographic changes. It has met on a number of occasions and agreed a draft, interim report which was presented to the National Implementation and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) in Quarter 1, 2023. The recommendations of the Acute Bed Capacity report will be encompassed as part of an overall multi-year Capital Plan which covers existing as well as additional facilities and capacity. A working group is to be established to both prioritise and oversee the capital plan for mental health with a remit to look at requirements over the next 10 years. As of end Q1 2023, draft terms of reference and proposed group membership of this working group have been developed, and its work is on-going.