Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 238: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on concerns (details supplied) in relation to the decision to close St. Edmundsbury Hospital, Lucan on 31 December 2007. [23436/07]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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St. Patrick's and St. Edmundsbury Hospitals are private psychiatric hospitals and responsibility for their operation is a matter for the management of the hospital. I should however point out that under the Mental Health Act 2001, children and young people i.e. under 18 years can only be admitted involuntarily to an approved centre following an application by the Health Service Executive to the District Court. Where the Court is satisfied that the child is suffering from a mental disorder the court will make an order that the child be admitted and detained for treatment for a period up to 21 days. It should be noted that the criteria for involuntary admission relates to mental disorder and excludes involuntary admission for reason only of addiction.