Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 29 May 2019
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health
Developments in Mental Health Services: Discussion
Ms Kate Frowein:
There are regulations but they are broadly stated, such as the furnishings and fittings have to be suitable to the number of residents or that the overall environment needs to meet the needs of residents. It is very broadly stated and there is a lot of room for interpretation within that. As Dr. Finnerty has pointed out, we do not believe it is suitable that people continue to be in dormitory-style accommodation, especially for long-term accommodation. There is, however, no regulatory prohibition on that.