Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, please. An awful lot of issues were raised. I thank everyone who came in and spoke. I know they will support this legislation. I will try to answer the questions raised about the legislation specifically.

Deputy Ward started off and asked what will happen to the Dundrum site. The site is owned by the Commissioners of Public Works. It is an 11.3 ha site. The Dundrum Central development is to be located on the site of the former Central Mental Hospital after it relocates. It will be progressed by the Land Development Agency. A planning application for the Dundrum site is expected to be submitted in mid-2021, with construction to start in 2022, subject to planning approval. That is all the detail I have to date.

There were questions from all sides of the House as to whether the new Central Mental Hospital will address the waiting lists. It will, to some extent. It will increase capacity from 93 to 110 places immediately, increasing to 130 at full capacity. The 30 places in the forensic intensive care and rehabilitation unit on the campus, which will open on a phased basis, will also help to alleviate pressures. However, the increased bed capacity of the new campus will not entirely keep pace with the trends in demand for places.

Deputy Buckley, I think, asked what exactly this new campus will look like. I have visited both facilities. The Dundrum facility is no longer fit for purpose. Moving to a new facility will make a huge difference to the welfare of those who have been treated both in practical terms and in quality of care. Each inpatient unit is centred around a series of courtyards and secure perimeter gardens. The courtyard arrangements facilitate therapies, collective activities and direct access for patients from each ward to fresh air. Each unit has internal gardens, exercise facilities and shared communal spaces. The hospital is laid out as a series of pavilion buildings around a village green or village centre. The village centre includes primary healthcare facilities, sporting and exercise facilities, educational and vocational facilities and social facilities such as a café, shop and library. There is a landscaped village green. It is hoped that patients will be able to sit out there with their families and visitors at appropriate times. There is also a large horticultural area, including polytunnels and animal pens, where patients can become involved in gardening and looking after the animals. It is a fantastic facility. I was delighted to visit it.

There has been a lot of talk about child and adolescent mental health services. I addressed that issue yesterday during the motion on mental health policy and in responding to oral questions this morning. It will be fantastic to have this ten-bed facility for youths and adolescents who needs these types of supports.

Deputy Costello stated that he was present at the very first meeting at which Portrane was suggested as a location. He and Deputy Duncan Smith spoke about the history of the hospital and how it is a very proud time.

Deputy O'Reilly made the valid point that this is not just about the patients and residents in the Central Mental Hospital, it is also about the staff. It is a place of work. That has all been taken into account and the staff have been engaged with at all stages of this process.

On the issue of the arrangements for relocating patients to Portrane, there are no plans to close the M50 to facilitate the transfer of patients to the new location for the Central Mental Hospital. Doing so has never been a consideration, although it was mooted in a recent newspaper article. Detailed arrangements for the transfer of patients to Portrane are an operational matter for the HSE in conjunction with other relevant State authorities.

Deputy Shortall asked about the community and the fact that the fact that the nearest Garda station is in Swords. The Garda has been in consultation with the HSE throughout the process. HSE estates has set up a National Forensic Mental Health Service community group. It is a representative group for local community interests. It has been inclusive and supporting people.

She also raised an issue of which I had not heard previously, that is, whether there is need for clarification regarding the spelling of "Portrane". The Attorney General stated that the correct spelling is that which we used throughout the process, and the spelling I knew of, that is, "Portrane". There are no issues in that regard.

Deputy McAuliffe referred to the housing issues which I have addressed already.

Deputy McNamara raised issues relating to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture. I was absolutely appalled to hear about how the patient to whom he referred was treated. My section of the Department, which has responsibility for mental health, has been in consultation with the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee. A committee is being set up. Obviously, mental health does not stop at the Department of Heath. That is why Sharing the Vision looks at a cross-departmental approach, which is very important.

The Deputy has raised issues relating to data on several occasions. I will check that out for him. Obviously, data are very important. There may have been a lag during Covid when services were under pressure. I will certainly raise that issue.

I thank Deputy Shanahan for his contribution and for tabling the motion on mental health policy which the House dealt with yesterday. He asked whether the expansion will be sufficient. It is certainly a step in the right direction. It will build extra capacity. He raised issues local to our constituency of Waterford. There have been issues relating to bed capacity in the south east.

Deputy Mattie McGrath also raised the issue of bed capacity. He is very passionate about long-stay beds. As I stated in my opening remarks, the national implementation monitoring committee will hold its inaugural meeting tomorrow morning. One of the first things at which it will look is mental health bed capacity throughout the country. If the report indicates bed capacity is needed in certain areas, that will be the way we have to look at it. I too consider it a very important issue. I am aware of the challenges being faced in County Tipperary in terms of people having to travel. When I visited the mental health facility at St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny, I was given data indicating it was at 85% capacity throughout the year in question. I can only work with what I have been given. We will consider the issue of capacity.

I thank all those present for supporting this move. It will make such a difference for all the patients in the Central Mental Hospital and it is not before time.

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