Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. The HSE has made a significant investment in community-based mental health services in the Ballinasloe area to facilitate the reconfiguration of services away from the acute setting of St. Brigid's Hospital, in line with A Vision for Change. This has resulted in a significant portion of the site and lands being surplus to the requirements of the HSE. Pending the outcome of engagements with the OPW on the potential future use of the site and lands, the intention is to proceed with the transfer or disposal of the asset in line with State property protocols.

I take the Senator's point on the shift and the challenges with staff. These are important issues. I do not have the details on the timeframes but I will follow up with her. She has raised important issues, particularly that of Oak Grove. We need to see where we are going with that. I need to get more clarification on that from the Department and the HSE. Government policy, as set out in A Vision for Change, is that the proceeds from the sale of the older mental health assets, such as St. Brigid's Hospital, will be reinvested in new developments in the area of mental health. That is important. I understand the new replacement accommodation is being developed for the mental healthcare services previously provided on the St. Brigid's Hospital campus.

Another important point the Senator raised, which has to be taken into consideration, is economic regeneration, particularly in the Ballinasloe area, and the repurposing of buildings. These issues will be taken into consideration as well and we have to ensure this happens. These developments are in line with the best international practice for the reorientation of assets from a hospital-based focus to the modern structures and facilities required for enhanced community-based service provision. I will raise the issues the Senator mentioned about the site and the plans and timeframes for same with the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Moran, the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Donohoe, and officials from the OPW and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.