asked the Minister for Health if, in view of grave public anxiety engendered by the revelations made concerning conditions obtaining in St. Brendan's Psychiatric Hospital, Dublin, he will make a statement outlining his short and long term proposals for the attainment of really satisfactory care for people absolutely dependent on the State and local authority for their basic wellbeing.

I accept that the conditions in St. Brendan's Hospital fall short of what is desirable but I am advised that the report to which the Deputy appears to refer was misleading and exaggerated.

The Eastern Health Board is, of course, responsible for the operation and maintenance of the hospital and I am satisfied that it has in recent years brought about a progressive improvement in the standards of care and accommodation provided there and in its other services for psychiatric patients. In the allocation of resources I have always tried to ensure that health boards in general have been enabled to maintain a steady upgrading of conditions in the various long-stay institutions. This year I have distributed £1 million to the boards specifically for renovations and improvements in their institutions and a further £1.6 million has been given to them for minor capital projects. Under these schemes, the Eastern Health Board are commencing some structural work at St. Brendan's, including provision of smoke stop doors, better external exits and the upgrading of wards. As far as my longer term policies are concerned, I aim eventually to achieve a situation where, with the growing development of community based services, it will be possible gradually to close old, out-dated institutions. The Deputy must appreciate however, that considerable resources will be required to achieve this aim but I am optimistic that it can be done relatively quickly.

The Parliamentary Secretary has accepted that the conditions in St. Brendan's hospital fall short of what is desirable. Could he indicate whether any immediate steps are being taken to improve the situation there? There is public anxiety about it.

I appreciate the Deputy's concern about this problem. It it only fair to say that in 1965 the patient population in St. Brendan's was 1,600. This has now been reduced to 1,045. The innovations I have spoken about are being implemented and I can assure the Deputy that, while I am Parliamentary Secretary, I and the Minister will continue to ensure that better conditions will prevail.

Has the renovation work started already, or when will it start?

The Eastern Health Board have the money but I cannot tell the Deputy whether they have started to use it.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary accept the allegations made recently in a newspaper article about St. Brendan's?

I have already said they are exaggerated.