Minister confirms that money from disposal of CMH lands
will be spent on Mental Health

Minister Martin has confirmed to the Irish College of Psychiatrists that finance from the sale of Central Mental Hospital lands will be spent on Mental Health Programmes. The response from the Minister follows a letter on this matter from Dr. Kate Ganter, Chairperson of the Irish College of Psychiatrists.

In his letter the Minister stated, “In 2003 following the report of the Review Group on the proposals for the future of the Central Mental Hospital I requested that the East Coast Area Health Board establish a project team to progress the matter as quickly as possible. The Team’s remit is to critically examine all options for the redevelopment of the hospital and it is due to present its findings to me in the near future.”

He then confirmed that “In regard to the sale of lands which currently are part of the Mental Health Programme, the Department of Health and Children have contacted the ERHA and health boards and indicated that funds from sale of lands which are attached to specific programmes should be retained in those programmes. This will be of considerable advantage to the Mental Health Programme and the Department of Health and Children will be pursuing the matter with the health boards and the ERHA.”