Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of mental health properties that have been sold; the funds available as a result of such sales for the development of mental health services; the discussions she has had regarding the effects of a downturn in the construction industry on the sale of such sites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32176/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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'A Vision for Change', the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy has been accepted by Government as the basis for the future development of our mental health services. The Report recommends inter alia 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. It is understood that the Health Service Executive (HSE) has disposed of a small number of assets since the launch of the Report in January 2006.

As the HSE has primary responsibility for implementing this recommendation, the Executive is the appropriate body to consider the particular issues 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.