Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

332. To ask the Minister for Health if the Central Mental Hospital is fully open; the current capacity; the capacity when its fully open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50886/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The HSE National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) relocated from Dundrum to Portrane on 4 November 2022. The 170-bed complex includes a new 130-bed Central Mental Hospital (CMH), a 30-bed Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit (ICRU) and a 10-bed forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service unit. These two latter units are the first of their kind nationally. It was always intended that the NFMHS facility in Portrane would become fully operational on a phased basis following relocation of this national service.

The NFMHS facility, with a capital cost in excess of €200 million, is one of the most modern of its type in the world and it presents new opportunities to deliver the highest quality care and outcomes for some of the most complex and vulnerable mental health cases in Ireland. The specialist NFMHS, including the CMH, is the national forensic mental health resource for teaching and training in all disciplines, driven by excellence in research and development, clinical risk management, rights and recovery.

The bed capacity in the new CMH increased from around 95 beds in Dundrum to 112 when relocation took place. These 112 operational beds across 9 units provide high and medium secure care for patients with major mental illness and associated violent behaviour. There are 88 beds for men, 14 for women, and 10 beds for men with both mental health and intellectual and developmental difficulties. The hospital receives admissions from prisons, courts and approved mental health centres nationally. Clinical care is delivered by 9 Multidisciplinary Teams each led by a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist.

In addition, the NFMHS has 30 community beds stratified by level of support across 6 residences, for patients who have spent time in the CMH following a Court finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. The NFMHS also provides care to a further 30 patients who were previously in the CMH and who are living independently or in placements with private health care providers.

I secured additional funding of €2.1 million under Budget 2025 to open the remaining 18 beds in the CMH this year, which will bring the hospital to its full operational complement of 130 beds. Recruitment is progressing for the 41 WTEs funded, with 34 of the posts accepted and at various points of onboarding and final checks.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

333. To ask the Minister for Health if the forensic intensive care rehabilitation ward in Central Mental Hospital is operational; if not the reason; when will it be open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50887/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The HSE National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) relocated from Dundrum to Portrane on 4 November 2022. The 170-bed complex includes a new 130-bed Central Mental Hospital (CMH), a 30-bed Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit (ICRU) and a 10-bed forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service unit. These two latter units are the first of their kind nationally. It was always intended that the NFMHS facility in Portrane would become fully operational on a phased basis following relocation of this national service.

The NFMHS facility, with a capital cost in excess of €200 million, is one of the most modern of its type in the world and it presents new opportunities to deliver the highest quality care and outcomes for some of the most complex and vulnerable mental health cases in Ireland. The specialist NFMHS, including the CMH, is the national forensic mental health resource for teaching and training in all disciplines, driven by excellence in research and development, clinical risk management, rights and recovery.

The bed capacity in the new CMH increased from around 95 beds in Dundrum to 112 when relocation took place. These 112 operational beds across 9 units provide high and medium secure care for patients with major mental illness and associated violent behaviour. There are 88 beds for men, 14 for women, and 10 beds for men with both mental health and intellectual and developmental difficulties. The hospital receives admissions from prisons, courts and approved mental health centres nationally. Clinical care is delivered by 9 Multidisciplinary Teams each led by a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist.

In addition, the NFMHS has 30 community beds stratified by level of support across 6 residences, for patients who have spent time in the CMH following a Court finding of Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. The NFMHS also provides care to a further 30 patients who were previously in the CMH and who are living independently or in placements with private health care providers.

I secured additional funding of €2.1 million under Budget 2025 to open the remaining 18 beds in the CMH this year, which will bring the hospital to its full operational complement of 130 beds. Recruitment is progressing for the 41 WTEs funded, with 34 of the posts accepted and at various points of onboarding and final checks.

Additional funding will be sought in the Estimates process to commence opening the Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit, which will also be on a phased basis. It is also intended that an evaluation of the operation of the ICRU will take place in due course to help inform the development of this or a similar model of care nationally over future years, in line with that envisaged under implementation of our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision 2020-2030.