Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

More resources into mental health is a priority. We have to ensure that people who require institutional care live in the best possible circumstances. Among the issues I would like to see dealt with is the situation regarding the Central Mental Hospital. All of these issues require resources, including the removal of people with intellectual disabilities from mental health institutions. The intention is that any resources that can be found from the disposal of assets would go into that area. We need to carry out an audit of what we can generally sell in the country. There are quite a number of properties currently in the possession of health boards, soon to be in the possession of the HSE, that will not be required for health related facilities. I would like to see those disposed of in an orderly manner and the resources raised put into health care, including mental health.

There is one proviso. We also have commitments on social and affordable housing. Each Department was asked some time ago to provide sites for social and affordable housing. We have to marry a number of different priorities. As far as I and the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy O'Malley are concerned, we have to put more resources into the development of modern state-of-the-art facilities in the mental health area.

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