Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 13 Mar 1990

Vol. 396 No. 9

Written Answers. - Help for Greek Psychiatric Services.

Ivan Yates

Ceist:

171 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health, following the original request of the Greek Government for EC aid in relation to the Leros problem, and having regard to the fact that Ireland was one of the four countries nominated to send help to the island, the reason no health care professionals from this country have to date been sent to work in the institution having regard to the fact that the EC will fully finance the project over a two year period on an experimental basis.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

At the request of the Commission of the European Community, my Department has agreed to assist the Greek Government in developing its psychiatric services, including the rehabilitation of patients in the psychiatric hospital on the island of Leros.

On the invitation of the Commission, professionals from this country have visited the Leros psychiatric hospital on a number of occasions in recent years to make recommendations to the Greek authorities on the measures needed to rehabilitate patients.

The Greek authorities are at present finalising a project to deal with the situation on Leros for submission to the Commission. If this project is agreed, my Department will co-operate with the Greek authorities in whatever way it can to rehabilitate psychiatric patients on Leros. This may involve the assignment of Irish personnel to assist the Greek authorities.

Last year, the Greek authorities responded to an invitation to send psychiatric personnel to this country to learn about our psychiatric services for training purposes. To date two groups of Greek psychiatric personnel have visited Ireland for extended periods. My Department will arrange further training courses if requested.