Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017
409. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1310 of 20 June 2017 to outline the reason for the delay in bringing the memo to Government relating to the proposal that the proceeds of the sale of the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum will be made available to the HSE for investment in health care projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32387/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government commitment to delivering a new central mental hospital is clearly articulated in the Programme for Government, and funding has been earmarked for this purpose in the Capital Plan. Therefore, the construction of the National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital in Portrane is not dependant on the sale of the Dundrum site. That said, there is a Government decision and policy as set out in ‘A Vision for Change’ that proceeds from the sale of older mental health assets, such as the Dundrum site, will be reinvested in new developments within mental health.
As previously advised, the disposal or otherwise of the site of the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum cannot proceed until such time as the hospital is vacated, following the completion of the new National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital in Portrane.
