asked the Minister for Health if it is intended to close the psychiatric beds in St. Loman's Hospital; and if so, the provision which will be made for in-patients treatment for persons living in the Tallaght area; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Dublin Hospital Accommodation.
83.
At present St. Loman's Hospital provides in-patient psychiatric services for community care areas 4 and 5 and North Kildare, a total population of approximately 300,000 people. As the Deputy will be aware, the re-structuring of the psychiatric service from an institutional to a community-oriented service was recommended in the Report "Planning for the Future" which now forms the basis for the future direction of our psychiatric services. The Eastern Health Board is at present developing its plans for a range of psychiatric facilities which will serve the population of this area, having regard to the recommendations of this report.
Pending the detailed development of these plans and their consideration by my Department it is not possible to indicate the final role of St. Loman's Hospital.