HSE claims to have earmarked funds for Bantry mental health facility at centre of court row

The Mental Health Commission wants the HSE to renovate the facility that has been the subject of criticism across a number of MHC inspection reports.

Katharine Kelleher, solicitor for the HSE, said that the decision by the MHC would mean four- and three-bedroom rooms at the facility having a maximum of two people per room, and that all double rooms would be reduced to single occupancy. File picture: Denis Minihane

The HSE has told a court that it has earmarked up to €1.5m to deal with ligature points at its mental health facility in Bantry in Co. Cork, which is the subject of a legal wrangle with the Mental Health Commission.

The Mental Health Commission (MHC) told Bantry District Court that it intends to fully contest an appeal lodged by the Health Service Executive against the commission's decision last August to attach conditions to the registration of the Centre for Mental Health and Recovery which, if imposed, would immediately reduce capacity at the facility from 18 beds to 11.