Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 813: To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify the situation regarding patients at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40777/11]

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour)
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Question 851: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the situation in St. Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman, Dublin, in which the Female Open Unit and the Female High Security Unit will be amalgamated; if he will ensure that he will maintain best medical practice in this regard; if he will give a commitment that a similar situation will be prevented in the future through extra supports or overtime for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41012/11]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 893: To ask the Minister for Health if he will report on the arrangements regarding the staffing of wards over the Christmas and new year period at a hospital (details supplied) in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41265/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 813, 851 and 893 together.

Temporary arrangements were put in place at St. Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman over the Christmas period to ensure continuity, quality and safety of services for all patients. Because of this a number of female patients had to be transferred from Unit 3B to a low secure ward on the Grangegorman Campus. I visited the hospital before Christmas and met with most of the women involved. I am satisfied that in the circumstances the best possible arrangements were put in place for these patients and that every effort was made to keep the disruption for them to a minimum.

Unit 3B had been due to reopen on the 16th January, however with the co-operation of management and staff, the HSE was able to reopen the Unit a fortnight earlier than anticipated and the female patients have now returned to Unit 3B.

Work is underway on the development of a 54-bedded replacement long stay facility as part of the Grangegorman Redevelopment Project. This new facility will provide patients with their own single bedrooms and ensuite facilities, therapy and rehabilitation spaces enhanced with courtyard settings and a light filled environment to maximise the benefits for patients for the duration of their recovery. Construction of the replacement unit is expected to completed in late 2012.