James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount raised from the sale at psychiatric establishments of psychiatric lands and buildings since January 2006; the amount retained by her Department; the amount reinvested into the development of mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31424/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE has disposed of a small number of psychiatric properties in recent years and the proceeds of these sales, which amount to just over €42m, have been surrendered to the Exchequer. In this regard, €25m of the proceeds of the sales of psychiatric lands was returned to the HSE through the Supplementary Estimate for 2009, and funded developments including the new child and adolescent units in Cork and Galway, a Community Nursing Unit in Ballinasloe and a day centre in Clonmel.

The Deputy may also wish to note that Budget 2010 provided for a multiannual programme of capital investment in high priority mental health projects, which will be funded from the proceeds of the disposal of psychiatric assets. The mental health capital programme will provide a range of facilities across the entire spectrum of mental health care facilities including acute psychiatric units, child and adolescent units, day hospitals, community nursing units and high support hostels. In 2010, the HSE will proceed to dispose of surplus assets and reinvest an initial sum of €50m in the mental health capital programme. Provision for continued funding of the programme will be made in the 2011 Estimates and subsequent years, in the light of the previous year's programme of asset sales.