Mental Health Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 February 2010

Tuesday, 2 February 2010

Ceisteanna (206)

James Reilly

Ceist:

290 Deputy James Reilly asked the Minister for Health and Children when a decision will be made on the site for the relocation of the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin; the timeframe for the proposed construction of a new central mental hospital; the location of the new hospital and the number of staff that will be employed in the proposed new hospital; the number of patients proposed for the facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4692/10]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy John Moloney)

It has been ascertained that the site proposed for the development of a new Central Mental Hospital (CMH) at Thornton Hall, Co Dublin, is not large enough to accommodate an Intellectual Disability Forensic Mental Health Unit and a Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health, the need for which has been identified by the HSE.

The question of the relocation of the CMH to an alternative site is currently under consideration by, and remains a priority for, the Government.