Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

There is funding for staff. There have been closed beds at Lindara in Cherry Orchard for the past two years. I have engaged with the Psychiatric Nurses Association. Many of the staff who work in mental health in the inpatient units are newly qualified and young. It is a tough job. They are dealing with very ill people. I compliment the staff in the inpatient units. Many people do not know that there are school facilities in all the units. Some young people sat their leaving certificate examinations this year while getting care.

I am awaiting a proposal from the HSE relating to adult beds for eating disorders. It is due at the end of the month. As the Deputy knows, we have three adult-only beds in St. Vincent's hospital. I met the Minister and Mr. Bernard Gloster in respect of this issue. Dr. Amir Niazi is bringing forward the proposal. We are going to try to grow the beds organically around the country. I am fixated on a geographical approach depending on where you live. Dieticians are key. Mental health supports will be provided. We are looking to ensure that any of the new premises we build contain dedicated eating disorder beds.