Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 3 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 1

Written Answers. - Psychiatric Services.

John O'Leary

Ceist:

92 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding proposals, in relation to the phychiatrically ill, to set up facilities in Killarney, County Kerry to provide for a sector headquarters in Killarney, County Kerry, to provide for a sector and assessment unit, an intensive care unit, a psycho geriatric/domestic unit, a high support hostel, and a sheltered workshop/activation centre, having regard in particular, to Killarney's tradition of caring for the phychiatrically ill in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14550/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The Southern Health Board is responsible for the delivery of health services in its functional area which includes County Kerry. I am informed by the board that the development of mental health services in County Kerry has been clearly outlined and planned in the board's four-year action plan which was adopted in May 1995. This plan fully provides for the continued provision of adequate facilities in the Killarney area.

All existing community based facilities in the Killarney area will be retained. These include a day hospital, a high support community residence, a day centre and a total of eight other community residences. The fifty bed psycho-geriatric unit will also be retained. In addition, the four-year action plan provides for a sector headquarters in Leawood Day Hospital, an intensive care facility, a training workshop and a new day facility to be developed in the Killarney area.