Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is no story here. This is a fantastic initiative that was put in place by my predecessor last year when the Rosalie nursing home, which dealt with many people with dementia, had to close. Castlerea mental health hub was put in place. It is a fantastic initiative. Last year, €800,000 was made available, with €400,000 for refurbishment and €400,000 for staffing expenditure. There is no story here. The Castlerea hub will be extended. It will be an absolutely fantastic initiative. From the point of view of what it will do, the roll-out nationally of the three CAMHS e-mental health hubs in Castlerea, Limerick and Cork will significantly enhance overall CAMHS provision, including improved early intervention and monitoring of cases. In this region, the Castlerea hub will operate in partnership with a day hospital in Galway on a seven-day basis, which I have discussed with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. This will provide young people in counties Galway, Roscommon, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim with a real alternative to inpatient care.

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