Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the land and facilities owned by mental health services that have been or are in the process of being sold; the amount they were sold for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6248/07]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the psychiatric hospitals that have been closed since the launch of A Vision for change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6247/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 177 together.

"A Vision for Change", the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy recommends that plans be drawn up for the closure of all psychiatric hospitals. The HSE has stated that it anticipates the closure of psychiatric hospitals and the reinvestment of the proceeds to take place on a phased basis. It has also emphasised that hospitals can only close when the clinical needs of the remaining patients have been addressed in more appropriate settings as recommended in "A Vision for Change".

The assessment and realisation of the full economic value of psychiatric hospital buildings and lands is the responsibility of the HSE and this process is underway.