Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Health and Children where the proposed acute psychiatric unit to replace St. Ita's psychiatric hospital, Portrane, will be located; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9412/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the long-promised psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, will be delivered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9284/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Questions Nos. 87 and 145 together.

The development of an acute psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital to replace the facility at St. Ita's, Portrane, is included in the HSE's national capital plan for the period 2006 to 2010. A project team has agreed the staffing and operational aspects of the unit.

During 2007, with a view to optimising the location of the range of capital projects planned for the Beaumont campus, a development control plan process was initiated. The draft development control plan has now identified an alternative site for the development of the acute psychiatric unit. It will be necessary for the project team to revisit the design and layout of the unit in the context of the new site. However, this will also afford the opportunity to the project team to review the design in the light of the recommendations in A Vision for Change, the report of the expert group on mental health policy.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for that response, which is clearly straight out of God knows what. The reality is that Beaumont Hospital was built 24 years ago and a psychiatric outpatient and inpatient unit was to be located therein. The proposed unit was taken over to contain the overflow of patients from medical and surgical beds and, subsequently, when that problem was resolved, it was used to store equipment. In 2004, planning permission was sought and obtained for the psychiatric outpatient and inpatient unit. The project went to tender in 2005.

I remind the Minister of State that there are 23 women in an open ward in St. Ita's Hospital with one shower, one bathroom and one toilet, bearing in mind that it is 2008.

How much was spent on the original planning application and tendering process for the psychiatric unit? How much was spent on architects' fees and legal fees? Can the Minister confirm that the unit is now being moved to accommodate the co-located private hospital in Beaumont? It is impinging on the site.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We must remember that the unit to be developed at Beaumont Hospital has been promised since the 1980s, yet an archaic and antiquated facility continues to operate at Portrane. Will the Minister of State indicate whether the identified site is on the site identified for the Minister's precious so-called co-located private hospital arrangement? What is the position on the proposal to develop the psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital? Will work commence thereon or will the whole project be cancelled and become a victim of the Minister's privatisation policy?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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I did not hear the Minister of State say where the proposed acute psychiatric unit will be. We did not get an answer.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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We do not have it.

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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To reply to Deputy Jan O'Sullivan's question, a site has been identified.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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The Minister of State already said that. Where is it?

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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On the Beaumont campus. A review of the location of capital projects on the Beaumont campus was commenced in 2007——

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Why did the original project not proceed? Why the change?

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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The site has been identified, the design has been approved and the staffing and operational aspects have been agreed, but in light of the development control plan, the campus had to be considered in its entirety.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Has the co-location proposal resulted in the movement of the proposed psychiatric unit from the site originally intended?

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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It was a matter for the board to examine the overall development of the campus.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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"Yes" is the answer.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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"Yes" is the answer.

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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This was done in the development control plan of 2007.