Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 216: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to ring-fence funds from the sale of existing mental hospitals, estimated to be approximately €800 million, to fund community based services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18334/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The commitment in the Programme for Government to ringfence funds from the sale of psychiatric hospitals is consistent with the recommendation in 'A Vision for Change' the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, that a plan to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals should be drawn up and implemented, and that the resources released by these closures should be protected for reinvestment in the mental health service.

The identification and disposal of assets which may be in excess of known HSE requirements is the responsibility of the HSE National Director of Estates. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.