Vol. 419 No. 6
132 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm whether the hospital at Foynes, County Limerick is going to close in the near future; the future plans the Mid-Western Health Board have for this institution when the Brothers of Charity who have it leased at present terminate this lease; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Arrangements for the care of the people with mental handicap currently being cared for by the Brothers of Charity in St. Senan's Hospital, Foynes is a matter for agreement between the Brothers and the Mid-Western Health Board. The Mid-Western Health Board has prepared a long term plan for the provision of mental handicap services in the region. It is the Health Board's intention, in conjunction with the Brothers of Charity, to make available a series of alternative, appropriate accommodation for people with mental handicap. In the case of St. Senan's Hospital, Foynes, the intention would be to transfer the residents to the Brothers of Charity Services, Bawnmore, and a similar number of residents in Bawnmore would then be relocated in hostel accommodation in the community. The pace of these developments will depend on the availability of resources in future years.
The Health Board has not yet made a decision about the future of St. Senan's Hospital, or when it will revert to the Board on the termination of the Brothers of Charity's lease.
