Since 1999, €500,000 has been spent on the refurbishment of the hospital but there is an acceptance by all parties that a more substantial redevelopment is required. In December 2000, the East Coast Area Health Board, in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Health Authority, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Department of Health and Children established a group to advise on proposals for the future of the Central Mental Hospital. They took into account national and regional services provided by the hospital, linkages with community psychiatric services and with the criminal justice system, new mental health legislation, the training role of the Central Mental Hospital for medical, nursing and paramedical staff and future accommodation and resource requirements. The group concluded its work last year and its report was submitted to the Eastern Regional Health Authority and to the Department of Health and Children. The report includes plans to modernise, refurbish and extend the existing building at the Central Mental Hospital and to provide a new residence on the campus.