Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 375: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the future plans for lands at the St. Ita's campus; if the proceeds from a transfer of these lands to new uses will be earmarked for badly needed improvements in the services for the 238 persons with intellectual disability and 189 persons with mental health problems; and the details of the improvements for these patients which are proposed. [4052/04]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Northern Area Health Board has submitted outline proposals for the future development of the St. Ita's campus to Fingal County Council for consideration in its revision of the county development plan. Further development of these proposals can only be considered in the context of the final development control plan to be issued by Fingal County Council. The provision of high quality accommodation and related facilities for the existing clients of the St. Ita's mental health and St. Joseph's intellectual disabilities service is a priority in any future development of the lands at St. Ita's.

The Northern Area Health Board, in conjunction with the Eastern Regional Health Authority, is keen to ensure that the need to provide high quality accommodation and related facilities is met within both a sustainable planning framework and a strategy within which the value of the site can be optimised. The Northern Area Health Board is continuing to work with Fingal County Council in this regard. I understand that it is the intention of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to apply funds that may arise from either the potential receipts from land disposal and-or development of lands at St. Ita's towards the provision of more suitable accommodation unless alternative capital funding can be clearly identified.