Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Health if it is the case that St. Ita's, Portrane, County Dublin, has been instructed that there can be no further admissions for acute mental health care after 31 August 2011; if this has arisen because planned development work to upgrade the admissions unit was not done; the contingencies in place to meet the needs of service users from the populous catchment area of the hospital if such cessation of admissions proceeds; the steps he will take to prevent this loss of service taking place and to ensure that the facilities at Portrane meet the required standards to allow admissions to continue or to ensure that equivalent or improved facilities are made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20447/11]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Health when the psychiatric unit at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, will be developed, now that the planned co-location development on the site which delayed the development of the unit has been set aside; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20448/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 280 and 281 together.

The Mental Health Commission has attached a condition to the registration of St. Ita's Hospital which requires the closure of the existing Male and Female Acute Units by 31st August 2011. Officials and Clinicians from North Dublin Mental Health Services had meetings with the Commission regarding requirements to address this condition and a plan involving the refurbishment of part of an existing building at the hospital was developed as an interim solution pending the completion of the new Acute Unit at Beaumont Hospital. The refurbishment work has not yet been undertaken and I understand that the HSE is in discussions with the Commission with a view to agreeing alternative arrangements for patients. The HSE has assured me that access to appropriate Acute Mental Health Services will continue to be provided for the people of North Dublin beyond 31 August 2011. The contract for the new Acute Admissions Unit at Beaumont Hospital has been awarded subject to planning approval. It is hoped that construction will commence in the last quarter of 2011.