Eoin Ryan
Ceist:80 Mr. E. Ryan asked the Minister for Health the long-term plans, if any, there are for St. Brendan's Hospital, Dublin 7; and the improvements, if any, he is considering for the patients at this hospital. [7371/97]
Written Answers - Mental Health Services.
Limerick East): The Eastern Health Board is responsible for the delivery of health services, including mental health services, in its functional area.
In line with a key recommendation of the report on the development of the mental health services — Planning for the Future — which was published in 1984 and which has been accepted by successive Governments, the board is developing a comprehensive range of community mental health facilities, including community residential accommodation, in each of its catchment areas. In parallel with these developments, patients receiving care in psychiatric hospitals, including St. Brendan's Hospital, have participated in rehabilitation programmes and successfully resettled in more appropriate community residential accommodation.
Since 1986 the in-patient population in St. Brendan's Hospital has reduced from 987 to approximately 210 at present. I am informed by the board that plans for the further development of mental health services which will impact on acute in-patient services currently provided at St. Brendan's Hospital, include proposals for the provisions of new acute psychiatric units at St. Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park and James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown. These units, once in operation, will provide acute in-patient services for their respective catchment areas which are currently provided at St. Brendan's. My Department has also provided significant additional capital funding in recent years to upgrade and refurbish facilities at St. Brendan's.
I understand that the board is at present drawing up a development control plan for St. Brendan's which will take into account the board's immediate and long-term requirements for the service including the needs of non-acute patients in St. Brendan's. When this plan is completed, it will be the subject of discussion between the board and my Department.