Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.
Seán Ryan
Ceist:
47
Mr. S. Ryan
asked the
Minister for Health and Children
the steps that have been taken to meet the commitment made in the Irish response to the report on the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of May 1999 to upgrade existing accommodation and enhance staffing levels and programmes for those who are still accommodated in psychiatric hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18549/00]
An important element of the national development programme in relation to the services provided to persons with an intellectual disability is the continuation of the ongoing programme to transfer those currently accommodated in psychiatric hospitals and other inappropriate placements to more suitable care settings.
There are a wide number of developments at varying stages of either planning or construction around the country outlined as follows:
Eastern Regional Health Authority–An overall development plan costing around £13 million is currently being implemented in relation to St. Joseph's Services, St Ita's Hospital, Portrane. A new purpose built residential and day services facility for 30 clients is currently being commissioned at Oldtown, County Dublin. The design brief for ten bungalows and a small day services facility for persons with autism on the St Ita's campus has been completed. The design team are now working on both the overall control plan for the campus and the design and siting of the above mentioned facilities. It is intended that all design, planning and tendering processes will be completed by early 2001, with building work commencing in the latter half of the first quarter of 2001.
It is also intended that refurbishment work will be undertaken on the existing facilities which will continue to be used in the medium to long-term and to develop further off campus facilities.
Midland Health Board–
Approval has been given to the development of new residential facilities for 18 persons, 12 of whom will come from St. Peter's, Castlepollard and the Alvernia Centre, Portlaoise, in Clara, County Offaly. The board is currently in the process of acquiring the site for the new facilities. Further proposals are currently under discussion with the board in relation to clients in St. Peter's, Alvernia and Lough Sheever, Mullingar.
Mid-Western Health Board–
New purpose built residential and day care facilities for 36 persons from St. Joseph's Hospital will come on stream towards the end of the summer.
North-Eastern Health Board–
The transfer programme is nearing completion in the North Eastern Health Board. Additional community based facilities will be acquired over the next three years to finalise the programme.
North-Western Health Board–
Developments in relation to clients in the Sean O'Hare Unit, Stranorlar and Cloonamahon, Sligo are currently under discussion with the board.
South-Eastern Health Board–
Building work has commenced on a new residential, 21 places, and day services facility for persons with an intellectual disability currently residing in St. Canice's Hospital. This project is being undertaken in conjunction with the Kilkenny Mental Health Association.
A similar facility, in partnership with the Delta centre, has been approved for persons with an intellectual disability in Kelvin Grove. The project is at the design and planning stage.
Discussions are taking place with the board in relation to similar developments for persons with an intellectual disability in St Senan's, Wexford.
Southern Health Board–
The design brief for a new residential complex for 30 persons on the hospital campus has just been completed. It is anticipated that, subject to planning approval, building work should commence in early 2001. Refurbishment work is also being carried out on accommodation in the main building which will continue to be used in the medium to long-term future.
New residential and day facilities for 28 persons with an intellectual disability in St. Finan's are currently being commissioned. Arrangements are being made for the remaining 20 clients to transfer to community based services.
Western Health Board–
The transfer programme is nearing completion in St. Brigid's, Ballinasloe. Additional community based facilities will be acquired to finalise the programme.
In addition to the capital investment, in 1999 and 2000 additional revenue funding amounting to £5 million has been made available to support this programme. As the Deputy will appreciate from the information outlined above, substantial progress has been made to date and will continue to be made over the next few years in this area of the services.
