Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not have the details on the position of St. Michael's House to hand. For the first time the delivery of mental health services is being made a central part of the delivery of health services in general. The Government has ring-fenced funding of €35 million under the remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for the delivery of those services.

As Deputy Finian McGrath is aware, every Department was asked to reduce costs and that has applied across the board. I appreciate the work done by front line services. I am aware of many cases where psychiatric nurses have retired and have not been replaced because of the moratorium on recruitment. There is a shift from the institutionalised delivery of services to community-based services. The delivery of mental health services as a normal part of the health service is a good thing rather than having it sidelined as it used to be.

I do not have the details of the situation in St. Michael's House to hand but if Deputy Finian McGrath wants to send me the details I would be happy to receive them. Perhaps he wishes to raise the matter as a topical issue with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle. I accept his central point that this is of great importance for those concerned. I appreciate the pressure and difficulties front-line workers have to contend with in the delivery of those services. Many of those for whom the service is provided are demanding mentally and physically on staff.

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