Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I wish to ask about 772 people who are living in what are de-designated psychiatric units and 300 people with intellectual disabilities who are still in psychiatric hospitals. In respect of the 772, the units are not subject to inspections because they have been de-designated and, therefore, no one knows their condition or how the situation should proceed. Will the Taoiseach ensure that not only will the HIQA standards of inspection be implemented, but that inspections be extended to these units?

Will the Taoiseach intervene to ensure that the €40 million obtained by selling psychiatric hospital lands that is now in the Department of Finance be given to the HSE to provide proper services for those people, as was intended under the legislation? The money derived from the sale of lands was to be used for the benefit of people already in psychiatric hospitals.

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