Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

It will be at least 12 months before service users have access to the new unit. My notes indicate that the north Dublin area is under significant pressure as a result of staff shortages, the ending of admissions to St. Ita's Hospital and the retirement of psychiatric nurses. While the impact of retirements is not unique to north Dublin, they are certainly causing a particular problem in the area. On what has been described as a "temporary arrangement", does St. Vincent's Hospital in Fairview have the potential to meet projected demand in the next 12 months? It will be at least one year before the new facility opens, hiccups or snag lists that may present aside.

We discussed last December's promise to make 414 additional appointments in mental health services, for which funding has been provided. Will the Minister of State indicate what progress has been made in that regard? Will any of these appointments be designated for the new facility or, given that they are supposed to be in place before the end of the year, the north Dublin area?

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