Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if there is an inter-departmental working group or committee working on the reinvestment of funds received from the disposal of mental health hospitals. [15447/09]

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 300: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if consultation with the Department of Finance on the Health Service Executive priority mental health projects to be funded from the sale of psychiatric hospitals has taken place; the percentage of the funds realised through the sale of psychiatric hospitals to be returned to mental health care services; the alternative care programme, its cost and funding for the patients of St. Loman's Hospital and Newcastle Hospital; and if she will recruit a national director of mental health services. [15449/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 300 together.

'A Vision for Change' the Report on the Expert Group on Mental Health recommended 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 re-invested in the new mental health service infrastructure requirement. The Departments of Finance and Health and Children have agreed in principle to the release of the proceeds of the disposal of properties prior to 2006 for reinvestment in mental health capital development. The arrangements for property disposal require Department of Finance approval in each case, the lodging of the proceeds as Exchequer Extra Receipts and the re-Voting of the funds for approved projects. Disposals to date amount to over €42m and a submission detailing the projects to be funded from these disposals was received from the HSE on 12 February last. At a meeting between officials from my Department and the HSE to discuss the matter, it was agreed that the HSE would forward a revised submission to my Department and this is expected shortly.

In relation to the recruitment of a National Director of Mental Health Services, the Health Service Executive has responsibility for determining the composition of its staffing complement. However, it has been made clear to the HSE on a number of occasions, most recently by the Independent Monitoring Group in its annual report published this week, that the most effective way to bring about the implementation of 'A Vision for Change' would be for a senior person to be assigned at national level with specific responsibility for delivering on reform in the mental health services.