Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 228: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is her intention to relocate the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum to the site of the proposed prison at Thornton Hall; if her attention has been drawn to the serious objections to this both from those interested in mental health services and local residents in the Thornton Hall area; the steps taken by her Department in relation to any such proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3375/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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In May 2006, the Government formally approved the development of a new national forensic mental health facility at Thornton Hall, Co Dublin, adjacent to the new prison. The new hospital facility will provide a therapeutic, forensic psychiatric service to the highest international standards, in a state-of–the-art building. This decision was consistent with "A Vision for Change" — the report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which recommended that the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) should be replaced or remodelled to allow it to provide care and treatment in a modern, up-to-date humane setting and that the capacity of the CMH should be maximised.

The redevelopment of the CMH will constitute a separate capital development project independent of the prison complex to replace Mountjoy Prison, and will be owned and managed by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The new hospital will be built on its own campus and will retain its identity as a distinct therapeutic health facility with a separate entrance and address to the prison complex.

The development of the new CMH is the responsibility of the HSE and at present, a project team is progressing the development of the new hospital. It is understood that the land at Thornton Hall is currently zoned for agricultural use and that preliminary discussions have taken place between the HSE and Fingal County Council regarding the planning process for the project; I am advised that the project will require planning permission. The HSE will seek planning permission at the appropriate time and will engage in the normal process of public consultation in this regard.