Govt planning land sale to raise funds for mental health sector

The Government is reportedly planning to sell off hundreds of acres of land at psychiatric hospitals throughout the country to raise funds for the mental health sector.

Reports this morning said the health boards had identified 200 acres of land from 14 mental hospitals that could be sold for several hundred million euro.

The reports said the plan to sell ths land would also involve the closure of some old psychiatric institutions that have been repeatedly criticised by the Inspector of Mental Hospitals.

The Cabinet has reportedly agreed that all money raised through the land sales be ring-fenced solely for use in the mental health sector.