Ms Tess O'Donovan:

It is working to make sure people can live in their communities as far as possible, so it is not either-or. The efforts are ongoing throughout Cork and Kerry in terms of trying to get property that people with a disability or mental health difficulties can remain in their own community. That can be a slow process. We have, of course, a cohort of patients. There are 87 beds in the four units in Sarsfieldscourt and 21 dementia-specific beds. We are all aware of the increasing difficulties in terms of dementia. There are particular mental health cases that will need that specific type of accommodation. We are trying to future-proof in regard to what we are doing. That is why the 50 beds have come around. We currently have 87 beds across four units and 21 dementia beds. We have to look at how we manage that cohort of patients with the closure of Our Lady's, many of whom have been there for a considerable length of time. Therefore we are looking at how we can manage that.

In regard to budgetary issues and costings, I will come back to the Deputy on that. There is a great deal of information exchange in relation to parliamentary questions but I am happy to come back and respond separately in regard to Sarsfieldscourt, the costings and the plan. I assure the Deputy that it is not either-or. It is not replacing what we want to do where patients are best served in their own community. That is equally part of what we are doing. It is not just all going to end in a 50-bed unit in Sarsfieldscourt because that is not good for anyone.