John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 307: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received details from the Mental Health Commission regarding the status of mental health facilities at Kerry General Hospital and at St. Finan's Hospital, Killarney, County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28442/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Copies of the 2009 Annual Report of the Mental Health Commission which includes the Report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services were laid before both houses of the Oireachtas on 15th June last. The Report was published by the Mental Health Commission the following day.

The Report made a number of recommendations in respect of both facilities referred to by the Deputy. In relation to Kerry General Hospital the Inspector found that the Acute Mental Health Admission Unit was a well-run unit. He also acknowledged that while the number of beds had reduced since the previous year, which resulted in more space for the residents, the unit continued to transfer residents to St Finan's Hospital. The Inspector recommended that the practice of transferring patients to St Finan's should cease and that plans for the 4-bed high observation unit at Kerry General Hospital be progressed as a matter of urgency.

In relation to St Finan's the Inspector concluded that three of the five wards were not suitable for habitation or for the provision of care or treatment. The Inspector recommended that the hospital should close. The service has a closure plan which includes the building of a 25-bed continuing care and challenging behaviour unit for older persons with mental disorders, a 15-bed intensive care rehabilitation unit and a 10-bed community residence for the remaining residents.

The closure of old Victorian hospitals is in line with Government policy in mental health contained in 'A Vision for Change' which was published in January 2006.