Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 13 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 7

Written Answers. - Committal Query.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

108 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on (1) recent reports (details supplied) that staff at a hospital (details supplied) are concerned about a decision to commit a man there who was arrested and questioned by gardaí about a murder (details supplied) in January 1992 and (2) the failure of successive Governments to implement the Medical Health Act, 1981 which now makes it impossible to commit him to the more secure Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Connell)

I am informed by the health board that the person concerned has been transferred to the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, under the provision of the Mental Treatment Act, 1945.

The Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981, has not been brought into force because some of the provisions of the Act require the preparation of regulations but in some instances the power to make regulations is defective and the general thrust of the Act has been superseded by developments in the psychiatric services.

The question of up-dating the legislation in relation to mental health services is under active consideration in my Department at the present time.