Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is entirely correct and I assure him that not only will the Department take an interest in this but I will take a personal interest in it. I know that Deputies Durkan and Heydon will continue to monitor this issue in the House.

It is important for people to know exactly what the mental health unit will involve. The Kildare and west Wicklow mental health service proposes building a new three-storey, 50-bed acute mental health unit in the car park of Naas General Hospital with four units between the first and second floors. The facility will have state-of-the art observation areas, en suite facilities for each bedroom, which is very important, Health and Safety Authority, HSA, approved interview rooms, improved recreational and therapeutic facilities, a Mental Health Commission tribunal room and a legal representative interview area. The expectation is that the overall environment will be much more conducive to the service users' recovery as stepped levels of care will be provided in four ward areas, tailored to specific levels of acuteness.

This is a much bigger project that we are now planning in the mental health services. I am particularly pleased today to tell Deputy Durkan that the mental health directorate has advised his community health organisation that it will now provide additional funding of €300,000 towards the cost of preparing for planning and design this year.

See this speech in context