Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I want to return to something we have spoken about a lot at the committee, namely, the provision of long-term residential facilities for mental health, particularly in Cork. I acknowledge the seriousness with which the HSE listened to the communities and the concerns and needs of the service users and their families. The way ahead is certainly very encouraging for the community, particularly with regard to Owenacurra in Midleton. I acknowledge that. I would like to have an update on the current plans for St. Stephen's Hospital, which committee members visited at the time. It is an older facility. An elective hospital is planned for there, as is a 50-bed residential project, which is my main point of concern. Do we have a current projected cost for this 50-bed residential project or a timeline for it? Are we at design phase? Where are we at with it? Does the HSE still have a position that is in line with policy?