In December 2000, the East Coast Area Health Board, in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Health and Children, established a group to advise on proposals for the future of the Central Mental Hospital. The group took into account national and regional services provided by the hospital, linkages and community psychiatric services, 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. It 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 included plans to modernise, refurbish and extent the existing building at the Central Mental Hospital and to provide a new residence on the campus. Overall capacity is projected to increase from 90 to 120. These plans will be subject to the approval of the Department of Health and Children and to the necessary capital funding being available.