Ciarán Cuffe
Ceist:76 Mr. Cuffe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for the future of the Central Mental Hospital. [20819/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 28 October 2004
Ceisteanna (83)
Freagraí scríofa
A project team was established by the East Coast Area Health Board in February 2003 to examine all options for the development of the Central Mental Hospital. The team reported to my Department this year and its proposals for the development of a new Central Mental Hospital, including the future location of the hospital, are currently under consideration.
The majority of admissions to the Central Mental Hospital come from within the prison service. Accordingly, ease of access between the main Dublin prisons and the hospital would be of importance and I understand that the location of the hospital adjacent to a prison would have operational benefits for the prison service. On the other hand, it must be borne in mind that the Central Mental Hospital is a therapeutic, health care facility. I fully agree with families and carers who feel that it would not be desirable that the hospital be perceived as, or closely identified with, a prison complex.
I understand that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has advanced proposals to develop a new prison complex replacing Mountjoy. I recognise the potential benefits of close co-operation between that project and the re-development of the Central Mental Hospital and I will be asking my officials to consider how the matter might be progressed to the mutual benefit of both services.