€2.2m spent on overseas care for psychiatric patients

The HSE spent an average of €43,122 per week last year to accommodate 11 patients in mental health services overseas.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show €2.2m was spent on accommodating the 11 psychiatric patients — or €200,000 per patient for the year.

The HSE said one of the reasons patients were sent overseas was that certain specialist care and treatment was “not currently available in Ireland”.