Construction BUSINESS

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, along with Minister for Health Simon Harris and Minister of State for Mental Health Helen McEntee have announced the signing of a construction contract for the new multi-million euro National Forensic Mental Health Service (NFMHS) complex at Portrane.

The new 130-bed adult forensic hospital at St. Ita’s Campus in Portrane will replace the 94-bed Central Mental Hospital complex at Dundrum. The complex at Portrane will also include a new 30-bed Intensive Care Rehabilitation Unit (ICRU), together with a 10-bed Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) unit. This development fulfills recommendations made in the national mental health policy ‘A Vision for Change’ and the projected cost is in excess of €160 million. It is envisaged that the new facility will open in early 2020.

The project will also involve a second phase at a later stage, during which new regional Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units (ICRUs) will be built in the HSE West and HSE South areas.

Announcing the signing of the construction contract, An Taoiseach said: “This new state-of-the-art hospital, along with all of its associated facilities, will be one of the most modern of its type in Europe. It is a very welcome and long overdue replacement for the Central Mental Hospital at Dundrum. The new complex will position Ireland’s forensic mental health services as world leaders in best clinical practice.