The news has been welcomed by Minister of State for Social Care and Primary Care, Kathleen Lynch.
The new facility should be open by 2018.
“I very much welcome the decision made by An Bord Pleanala to grant permission to progress the significant new facilities at Portrane in Dublin,” said Minister Lynch.
“This major health project comprises, a 120 bed National Forensic Hospital which will replace the Central Mental Hospital.
“A new 10-bed Mental Health Intellectual Disability Forensic Unit and a new 10-bed Child and Adolescent Mental Health Forensic Unit.
“The new facility should become operational in 2018. Patients, their families and staff will benefit from transferring from an antiquated building to state-of the-art facilities in a new modern forensic setting,” said the Minister.
“I wish to acknowledge the highly professional approach of the HSE, Fingal County Council and all others concerned in reaching today’s decision”.
As part of this project the design work will be progressed for three 30 bed Intensive Care Rehabilitation Units (ICRU) in Cork, Galway and Portrane. A fourth ICRU is planned for an existing facility in Mullingar, the Department of Health said.
