Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

Prior to the Christmas recess I tabled a similar motion about the conditions obtaining in unit nine of James Connolly Memorial Hospital, Blanchardstown. At that time, I was informed in the reply that a new wing was being built and that unit nine would be accommodated within the new building. We were also told that the Inspector of Mental Hospitals considered unit nine as an inappropriate facility for housing this type of patient. Following that, we were looking forward to unit nine, the psychiatric division, moving into the new general hospital.

However, I have tabled this matter for the Adjournment debate today because it has come to my notice that the new development may not happen for some time. I understand that the matter will come before the Labour Relations Commission next Friday. That is because, following an examination of the new building, the Psychiatric Nurses Organisation found that it has not been built to an appropriate specification for housing mentally ill patients, let alone those who are dangerously ill.

For example, the glass in the unit's doors and windows is the same type as that fitted in a general hospital and a proper observation deck has not been built. In addition, the needs of the psychiatric division have not been incorporated into the hospital's design by the architects. I accept there might be problems with the management of the health board but it is quite serious for something like that to occur at this stage of the development. I would ask the Minister to examine the matter and I look forward to his response.