James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 611: To ask the Minister for Health the plans he has to address the concerns of the inspector of mental health services who has described the built environment at St. Loman's Hospital, Mullingar, County Westmeath as very poor and has recommended the closure of three of the five wards at the hospital with a potential loss of 61 beds and highlighted an open drain in a toilet, peeling paint and lack of privacy in dormitories and bathrooms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27256/11]

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 612: To ask the Minister for Health the measures that will be put in place to accommodate the patients who will be potentially without placement if three wards, comprising 61 beds, are closed at St. Loman's Hospital in Mullingar, County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27257/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 611 and 612 together.

The Inspector of Mental Health Services has recommended the closure of three wards at St. Loman's Hospital in Mullingar; namely, St. Marie Goretti, St. Bridget's and St. Enda's wards. A new community nursing unit is under construction on the St. Mary's care centre site. It is expected that patients from St. Marie Goretti and St. Bridget's wards will transfer to the new facility by the end of March 2012. Work has started on the renovation of the existing admission unit at St. Loman's Hospital, which will provide for a 20-bed replacement unit for St. Enda's ward. These works are due for completion towards the end of 2012.