Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The matter is one for discussion on Private Members' Business in the Seanad. Deputy Naughten is aware of the Vision for Change document setting out the view on how psychiatric conditions should be dealt with for the future. I am aware of the situation in Ballinasloe in both St. Brigid's Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is dealing with this area. There are patients in St. Brigid's in a new unit, as yet unopened, who are supposed to be in the unit which is deemed to be closed, with the transfer of patients to Galway. There are implications for Portiuncula and Roscommon. I am not sure which entity Deputy Naughten favours and whether he wants them both kept open in the context in which they were built.

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