Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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958. To ask the Minister for Health when construction on the new national forensic mental health facility at Portrane, County Dublin, will commence; the timeline for completion of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41381/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Planning permission for a new modern forensic mental health facility in Portrane, to replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum together with associated new facilities, was granted in June 2015. Site preparation works were undertaken by the HSE during 2016.

Phase 1 of the project comprises of a new 120 bed hospital, along with a new 10 bed Child and Adolescent Mental Health unit and a new 10 bed Mental Health Intellectual Disability unit. I was pleased to secure significant additional capital funding in Budget 2017 to progress this project this year. A preferred bidder for construction of the new hospital has been identified, and the award of contract process is expected to be completed shortly. The HSE estimate that construction will commence in February 2017, with a view to the new facility opening in 2019.

Phase 2 of the project envisages the provision for the mental health sector of regional Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units, as resources allow over the medium to longer term.