Minister of State Kathleen Lynch Health Minister Leo Varadkar welcomed the decision today by An Bord Pleanála to grant permission for a new forensic hospital at Portrane, Co. Dublin.  This will replace the existing Central Mental Hospital.

As part of this project the design work will be progressed for three 30 bed Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units in Cork, Galway and Portrane. A fourth ICRU is planned for an existing facility in Mullingar.

Health Minister Varadkar said:

Looking after our mental health is as important as minding our physical health. Those who need help with their mental health are right to expect treatment in modern conditions. This new state-of-the-art facility is an important milestone on our path to providing modern mental healthcare.