Please God, next year.

And to Antrim.

I thank the House for affording me the time. I am delighted to be here to introduce the Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020 to the House. The Central Mental Hospital operates from a building in Dundrum that dates back to 1850. That building is no longer fit for purpose. Construction of a new hospital is a long-standing Government policy and a priority in the programme for Government. A significant and historic development will occur in 2021 with the opening of the new national forensic mental health camp…

There are quite a lot of questions and I will do my best to get through them as best I can. I knew this legislation was coming and have heard a lot about it since I took up my position on 1 July. Six weeks ago and before we went back into lockdown, I took the opportunity to visit both sites. I first visited the Dundrum facility where I met Professor Kennedy and some of his team. Due to Covid restrictions I was unable to see where some inmates, residents or detainees are detained but I saw quite a lot and spoke to s…

As Senator Clifford-Lee said, the peninsula is beautiful. It must be a wonderful place to live because on the day of my visit the sun shone and the views were spectacular. I was extremely impressed by what I saw on my visit to what will be the new central mental hospital. The project is long overdue and the additional capacity is very welcome. Many issues have been raised with regard to capacity. Senator Bacik is right that the capacity of the Central Mental Hospital was 102 in 2019 but is only 93 at the moment due…

The Dundrum site is not being sold but transferred to a State-sponsored body for the purpose of increasing housing capacity, but I will certainly follow up on the point made by the Senator. It was raised last Thursday as well. That is the only information I have at the moment.

I thank Senators for their contributions. I think Senator Boyhan has summed it up. The Central Mental Hospital is a hospital, first and foremost, and a prison second.

That is a point on which we must remain focused. I have heard a lot of talk about Thornton Hall and Mountjoy. Those matters were a little before my time in national politics although I was always involved at local level. I do not doubt for one minute the bona fides of Senator McDowell, a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, nor do I doubt the passion with which he has spoken about the challenges in the justice system, especially for those suffering from mental health issues. I take on board everyth…

I thank the Senator for withdrawing his amendments and for the constructive way he has spoken here today.

I thank Senators for contributing to today’s debate and their interest in this important legislation. It is heartening to see the strong Oireachtas tradition of working together on matters of mental health endures across both Houses. This is never more important than when those affected are some of the most vulnerable people in our mental health and judicial systems. For a long time now, the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum has been unfit for purpose. While efforts have been made to refurbish and maintain the bui…

I thank the Deputy for her question. I know mental health and all the challenges people face are close to her heart. At every opportunity she gets she comes in here and raises these issues in a constructive manner. She was here again yesterday for the Private Members' business regarding mental health. I thank her for keeping mental health front and centre. It is hugely important. We have never needed to put such a focus on mental health as we do at the moment. The Covid pandemic has come down hard on people and I h…

I could not agree with the Deputy more. Our schools policy needs to be updated across many sectors but especially in regard to drug abuse. Sharing the Vision advocates for additional universal supports to provide care to individuals with complex mental health needs, including those presenting with co-existing mental health supports such as addiction or dual diagnosis. This is where it gets very complicated. As regards the dual diagnosis national clinical programme, a draft model of care is in place, which takes acc…

This falls more under the remit of the Minister. I am very familiar with the situation, and I am a mother of three. This week, there was a move to allow partners to attend the 20-week scan, which had not been allowed until now as a result of Covid. It has been challenging. We are talking about hospitals and maternity wards which are home to young babies, including the most vulnerable. The most important thing we can do is keep Covid out of these facilities. The Minister is constantly monitoring this and being updat…

I thank the Deputy for his very important question. The development of all aspects of mental health services nationally, including those for children and young people, remains a priority for me and the Government. This is reflected in the current programme for Government and in the significant additional funding allocated to mental health in budget 2021.  As the Deputy will know, an additional €50 million was secured, which will bring the overall budget to €1.076 billion. Of that €50 million, €23 million has been a…

The Deputy has raised a valid point. Since I came into this role, I have had several discussions with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, regarding CAMHS waiting lists. There are currently more than 2,230 children waiting for such services. However, in the past seven months or eight months, CHO 4 has taken a proactive approach. Part of the waiting list, especially on the Kerry side, was associated with a key consultant vacancy. The CHO put in place a Saturday clinic facilitated by local CAMHS consultant cover to target …

There are many challenges in primary care for under 18s. The waiting list is at all-time high of 10,500. It is an issue I have inherited. I met the Minister on this issue recently and I have met the HSE primary care team. The team and the section of the Department that deals with mental health are aware that more than 5,000 under-18s are currently on that waiting list for more than 12 months and we are looking at a targeted intervention to reduce the waiting list next year. A process is being put in place to see wh…

I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am here to introduce the Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020. The Central Mental Hospital currently operates from a facility in Dundrum which was built in 1850. That building is no longer fit for purpose. Construction of a new hospital is a long-standing Government policy and a priority in the programme for Government. A significant and historic development will occur in 2021, with the opening of the new National Forensic Mental Health campus in Portra…

Whatever you think is suitable, a Cheann Comhairle.

Yes, please. An awful lot of issues were raised. I thank everyone who came in and spoke. I know they will support this legislation. I will try to answer the questions raised about the legislation specifically. Deputy Ward started off and asked what will happen to the Dundrum site. The site is owned by the Commissioners of Public Works. It is an 11.3 ha site. The Dundrum Central development is to be located on the site of the former Central Mental Hospital after it relocates. It will be progressed by the Land Develo…