Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Specifically in regard to St.Loman's, I am not in a position to advise the Deputy what happened to the missing €15 million from the mental health area, although perhaps I can check that.

The overall policy is that any sale in the health area that can be made should go generally into health, with one proviso in respect of social and affordable housing. My Department, like every other Department, has been asked to come forward with land that may be suitable for social and affordable housing. To the best of my knowledge, there is no formal Government decision in regard to this matter, but that would be the intention. As far as audits are concerned, it will not be a long drawn out audit, but in the Department of Heath and Children we do not have a piece of paper that indicates what lands may be available to be disposed of over the next year or 18 months. It would be very useful if we knew what we could dispose of with a view to putting the money into health care.

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