Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the process that will be provided to continue the care for psychiatric patients; the extra provisions that are in place to deal with the increased demand; when mental health patients are being moved to an independently managed nursing home in situations in which it is proposed to close down a facility (details supplied), if there is a responsibility on the Health Service Executive to inform the Mental Health Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9915/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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'A Vision for Change' the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health service over a seven to ten year period. The Report recommends that the remaining psychiatric hospitals should close and that patients should be relocated to more appropriate community based settings. The HSE has developed a strategy for the phased closure of the remaining hospitals and the relocation of patients to community based accommodation, and in these circumstances the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Regulation 36 of the Mental Health Act 2001 (Approved Centres) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 551 of 2006) requires that where it is proposed to close an approved centre, the registered proprietor of the approved centre must inform the Mental Health Commission in writing, not later than 3 months before the intended date of the cessation of the provision of mental health services.