asked the Minister for Health the proposals he has for St. Dympna's Hospital, Carlow after the psychiatric hospital is closed down.
71.
Written Answers. - Carlow Hospital.
70.
asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that St. Dympna's Hospital, Carlow is going to be used as a rehabilitation centre for young people accused of drug related offences.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together. Agreement has been reached with the South-Eastern Health Board that part of St. Dympna's will be redesignated as a geriatric unit to cater for elderly persons at present in the Hospital whose main requirement is for geriatric care. It has also been agreed that part of St. Dympna's will be redesignated as a unit for mentally handicapped persons now in the hospital. There is no proposal to use St. Dympna's as a rehabilitation centre for young people accused of drug related offences.