asked the Minister for Health the financial provision he has made for the implementation of the Psychiatric Services — Planning for the Future and the Mental Handicap Services, including Loughlinstown.
Written Answers. - Implementation of Psychiatric Services Report.
13.
The report on the psychiatric services —Planning for the Future— was published last March. It has been considered by the many interests concerned. The health boards are now developing detailed plans for their areas in accordance with the guidelines given in the report. The present stage in planning is concerned with determining the location and types of facilities which will be required to provide a service which is essentially community based. The capital and other requirements will depend on the outcome of this planning process.
With regard to the proposed mental handicap centre at Loughlinstown, this project does not arise under the psychiatric planning report. This centre was designed in response to the needs identified by the Eastern Health Board in developing their services for mentally handicapped persons. I have suggested to the health board that instead of building this major centre at Loughlinstown they might better achieve their objectives by the provision of a smaller facility at Loughlinstown together with appropriate facilities at a number of centres spread over the north city and north County Dublin and at some centres in County Wicklow. The board is now considering my proposals.