Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response but I wish to pose a few supplementary questions. She said that similar audits have been carried out elsewhere. Has a similar audit been carried out in Mullingar where €5 million is currently being spent on a facility in St. Loman's Hospital? It would be of a similar standard or grade to Ballinasloe. I am referring here to an audit of all mental health services in Roscommon-Galway and not just the acute services. Can the Minister of State explain how we are examining the reconfiguration of a system when we do not know the catchment area? It has not been finalised where the integrated service area will be, whether Mayo will be included, or whether it will go across some of the other catchment areas. Is it sensible to make decisions when we do not know what the final reconfiguration will be?

The Minister for Health has put the case well that money should follow the patient, and we would all agree with that principle. Why does it not also apply to mental health services?

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