Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 11 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers - Western Health Board Psychiatric Services.

Thomas Foxe

Ceist:

12 Mr. Foxe asked the Minister for Health if he will give the following breakdown of the costs of psychiatric services provided in County Roscommon, in each of the past four years (1) maintenance of St. Patrick's Psychiatric Hospital, Castlerea, County Roscommon; (2) the hospital staff costs of (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) others; (3) other psychiatric services in the county; similar costs for the other psychiatric hospitals in the Western Health Board area; and the average number of patients in each of those hospitals.

Mr. N. Treacy

The reply is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

Cost of Psychiatric Services

County Roscommon

Hospital (St. Patrick's Hospital, Castlerea)

Year	Maintenance	Medical Staff	Nursing Staff	Other Staff	Non-Pay (Excluding Maintenance)	Total for Hospitals	Community Services	Grant Total
Pay	Non-pay
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
1986	215	79	139	2,260	838	590	4,121	506	4,627
1987	201	50	150	2,012	856	487	3,756	521	4,277
1988	162	73	164	1,822	846	486	3,553	539	4,092
1989	160	64	166	1,787	898	585	3,660	547	4,207

Cost of Psychiatric Services

County Galway

Hospitals (Psychiatric Unit, University Hospital, Galway and St. Brigid's Hospital, Ballinasloe)

Year	Maintenance	Medical Staff	Nursing Staff	Other Staff	Non-Pay (Excluding Maintenance)	Total for Hospitals	Community Services	Grant Total
Pay	Non-pay
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
1986	566	190	488	7,307	3,134	2,191	13,876	973	14,849
1987	541	188	510	6,757	3,327	2,044	13,367	991	14,358
1988	473	158	493	6,546	3,260	1,755	12,685	1,002	13,687
1989	437	150	460	6,630	3,100	1,917	12,694	1,022	13,716

Cost of Psychiatric Services

County Mayo

Hospitals (St. Theresa's Psychiatric Unit Castlebar General Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital, Castlebar)

Year	Maintenance	Medical Staff	Nursing Staff	Other Staff	Non-Pay (Excluding Maintenance)	Total for Hospitals	Community Services	Grant Total
Pay	Non-pay
	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000	£000
1986	215	110	204	3,955	1,599	1,064	7,147	690	7,837
1987	190	93	173	3,642	1,597	1,010	6,705	721	7,426
1988	196	72	150	3,507	1,607	932	6,464	733	7,197
1989	275	82	201	3,392	1,815	990	6,755	760	7,515

Number of patients in psychiatric hospitals in the Western Health Board area at 31 December.

Hospital	1986	1987	1988	1989
St. Patrick's, Castlerea	205	156	127	114
St. Brigid's, Ballinasloe	852	838	806	764
Psychiatric Unit, University Hospital, Galway	39	38	44	44
St. Mary's, Castlebar	550	484	429	415
St. Theresa's Unit, Castlebar General Hospital	36	38	35	42

Mr. Yates

May I ask why Questions Nos. 12 and 30 have not been taken together, given that they refer to the same hospital?

Mr. N. Treacy

While they refer to the same hospital, Question No. 12 seeks statistical information and the other is a general question. The replies to both questions are exceedingly comprehensive and we want to give the maximum information to both Deputies.

Mr. Yates

Can they be taken together?

An Ceann Comhairle

Not now. We cannot deviate from the Order Paper as it is before me.

Mr. Yates

Will the Minister of State assure the House that the future of this psychiatric hospital, in the context of psychiatric services in the Western Health Board area and given that it is cost-effective, is secure?

An Ceann Comhairle

This reply is in the form of a tabular statement. With respect, it would be appropriate to await the availability of that tabular statement before commenting or asking questions on it.

Mr. Yates

The Minister is trying to avoid answering the question.

Mr. N. Treacy

I have no problem in answering the question.

Mr. Yates

The Minister of State knows this hospital very well. We all know what is happening.

An Ceann Comhairle

Order.

Mr. S. Barrett

On a point of order, would you not agree, a Cheann Comhairle, that the Minister is avoiding answering the question as he knows Question No. 30 will not be reached in the time available?

Mr. Yates

The Foxe deal is in trouble.

(Interruptions.)

Mr. N. Treacy

I recall Deputy Barrett, coming into the House to give statistics.

Mr. S. Barrett

The Minister of State does not want to answer any supplementaries.

An Ceann Comhairle

Deputy Barrett, we have had a very cordial Question Time up to now. It was very orderly and I intend to keep it orderly. Question No. 13.

Mr. Yates

This is a cop-out.