Is the Minister familiar with Planning for the Future which states that no psychiatric unit would be closed without the provision of facilities in the community? In relation to the proposed closure of Castlerea psychiatric hospital in Roscommon, has the Minister made any real finance available for the provision of facilities in the community for the 250 patients who will be dislodged in 1986 if he has his way?

I have directed officers of my Department to visit, for example, Roscommon General Hospital this week and I look forward to receiving their report. We have several ideas, notably the prospect of building a 30-bed acute psychiatric unit in Roscommon County Hospital using existing facilities or constructing the unit within the framework of that hospital, so that nobody — and I repeat nobody — goes into Castlerea unless they have gone through the acute general hospital psychiatric assessment unit. That is of critical importance whether it be in respect of Carlow or Castlerea. In Roscommon town there is an unopened mental handicap workshop day care centre. I am examining these matters and we are having discussion with the health board with a view to developing all these structures. The work is going ahead quite rapidly and I will be in consultation with the Deputy and his colleagues in that regard. My only request is that we approach this in an orderly way, having concentrated our minds on these very important matters.

I would not recommend that the Minister have consultations with me or with my colleagues because we are opposed to the closure of Castlerea. There is no way 250 patients from Castlerea can be accommodated in a unit provided for 30 patients in Roscommon town. The Minister has made no financial provisions in 1986 for the community care of the 250 patients in the Castlerea hospital.

That is not a question.