James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount of money raised from the sale of psychiatric lands and buildings since January 2006; the amount of same which was retained by her Department ; the amount that was reinvested into the development of mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29988/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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'A Vision for Change' the Report on the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy 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 mental health service. 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. A submission from the HSE, detailing the priority projects to be funded from these disposals, is currently under consideration in my Department with a view to submission to the Department of Finance.