Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Act 2020

What is this act about?

This law provides for the move of the Central Mental Hospital from its current location in Dundrum to a new facility in Portrane, County Dublin, and outlines the process for this relocation. It ensures the lawful transfer of patients and the eventual closure of the old hospital.

Who it applies to: The Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice; Persons lawfully detained in the Central Mental Hospital.

Deadlines:

The Minister for Health will appoint a "closure day" for the former Central Mental Hospital, which must be no later than 3 months after the relocation day.

At a glance

Country: Ireland
Area of law: Environment and agriculture
Articles: 8
Source: irishstatutebook.ie
Text retrieved: 2026-06-17
Explanation updated: 2026-07-07

What does this act regulate?

The official relocation of the Central Mental Hospital from Dundrum to Portrane.
The transfer of individuals lawfully detained in the former Central Mental Hospital to the new facility.
Transitional arrangements for patients during the relocation period.
The formal closure of the former Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum.

Who does this act apply to?

The Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice.
Persons lawfully detained in the Central Mental Hospital.

What are the key points?

The Minister for Health will set a "relocation day" by order, after consulting with the Minister for Justice and the Mental Health Commission.
On and after the relocation day, the psychiatric centre in Portrane will be known as the Central Mental Hospital.
All persons lawfully detained in the former Central Mental Hospital will be transferred to the new Central Mental Hospital during a "transitional period."
The "transitional period" begins on the relocation day and ends the day before the "closure day."
The Minister for Health will appoint a "closure day" for the former Central Mental Hospital, which must be no later than 3 months after the relocation day.

Environment and agriculture

Euro Changeover (Amounts) Act, 2001

Minister For the Environment and Local Government (Performance of Certain Functions) Act, 2002

Continental Shelf Act, 1968

Intoxicating Liquor Act, 1953

Constitution (Amendment No. 17) Act, 1931

Constitution (Verification of Petition) Act, 1944

Industrial Grants Act, 1959

Destructive Insects and Pests (Consolidation) Act, 1958

Environment and agriculture

Legal text

Contents (8)

Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8

Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Act 2020 Skip to content Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Gaeilge Léim go dtí an t-ábhar Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach English Gaeilge English Produced by the Office of the Attorney General Táirgthe ag Oifig an Ard-Aighne Home Legislation Acts of the Oireachtas Statutory Instruments Pre-1922 Legislation Constitution External Resources Bills (Houses of the Oireachtas) Iris Oifigiúil / Official Gazette Revised Acts (LRC) Classified List of Legislation (LRC) Translations (acts.ie) Translations (Houses of the Oireachtas) Government Publications for Sale EU Law (EUR-Lex) FAQ Disclaimer Feedback Helpdesk Search Baile Reachtaíocht Achtanna an Oireachtais Ionstraimí Reachtúla Reachtaíocht Réamh-1922 Bunreacht Acmhainní Seachtracha Billí (Tithe an Oireachtais) Iris Oifigiúil Achtanna Athbhreithnithe (CAD) (An Coimisiún um Athchóiriú an Dlí) Liosta Rangaithe Reachtaíochta Aistriúcháin (achtanna.ie) Aistriúcháin (Tithe an Oireachtais) Foilseacháin Rialtais ar Díol Dlí AE (EUR-Lex) CCanna (Ceisteanna Coitianta) Séanadh Aiseolas Deasc chabhrach Cuardach TitleTeideal Year(s) or rangeBliain nó blianta nó raon TypeCineál All Legislation Acts Statutory Instruments Advanced SearchCuardach Casta HomeBaile ActsAchtanna 2020 Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Act 2020 Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Act 2020 Permanent Page URL View by SectionAmharc de réir Ailt View Full ActAmharc ar an Acht Iomlán Bill History Stair Bille Commencement, Amendments, SIs made under the Act Tosach Feidhme, Leasuithe, IRí arna ndéanamh faoin Acht Open PDFOscail PDF Print Full ActPriontáil an tAcht Iomlán Number 28 of 2020 Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Act 2020 CONTENTS

Section 1

1.Definitions

Section 2

2.Relocation day

Section 3

3.Transfer of persons to Central Mental Hospital and transitional provisions

Section 4

4.Closure day

Section 5

5.Exclusions

Section 6

6.Expenses

Section 7

7.Repeal

Section 8

8.Short title and commencement Acts Referred to Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 (No. 11) Defence Act 1954 (No. 18) Interpretation Act 2005 (No. 23) Mental Health Act 2001 (No. 25) Mental Treatment Act 1961 (No. 7) Number 28 of 2020 CENTRAL MENTAL HOSPITAL (RELOCATION) ACT 2020 An Act to provide for the relocation of the Central Mental Hospital from its current premises in Dundrum, County Dublin to a premises in Portrane, County Dublin; to provide for the transfer of persons lawfully detained in the Central Mental Hospital Dundrum to the Central Mental Hospital Portrane; to provide for transitional arrangements; to provide for the closure of the former Central Mental Hospital Dundrum; to provide for the repeal of section 39 of the Mental Treatment Act 1961 ; and to provide for related matters. [20th December, 2020] Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows:

Definitions 1. In this Act— “Act of 2001” means the Mental Health Act 2001 ; “Act of 2006” means the Criminal Law (Insanity) Act 2006 ; “closure day” shall be construed in accordance with section 4 ; “former Central Mental Hospital” means the psychiatric centre situated at Dundrum, Dublin 14 that was, until the relocation day, known as the Central Mental Hospital; “Minister” means the Minister for Health; “relocation day” shall be construed in accordance with section 2 .

Relocation day 2. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) the Minister shall, by order, appoint a day to be the relocation day for the purposes of this Act.

(2)An order under subsection (1) shall include a true copy of the deposited map.

(3)Before making an order under subsection (1), the Minister shall consult the Minister for Justice and the Mental Health Commission.

(4)The psychiatric centre, situated within the National Forensic Mental Health Service, Portrane, County Dublin, comprising the area consisting of the lands identified within the inner margins of the red lines, hatched in red and marked “Central Mental Hospital” on the deposited map, shall, on and after the relocation day, be known as the Central Mental Hospital.

(5)References to the Central Mental Hospital or Central Mental Hospital Dundrum (howsoever described) in any enactment (other than this Act), court order or other document made prior to the relocation day shall, on and after that day, be construed as references to the psychiatric centre, situated at the National Forensic Mental Health Service, Portrane, County Dublin, and known as the Central Mental Hospital.

(6)In this section— “enactment” has the same meaning as it has in the Interpretation Act 2005 ; “deposited map” means the map deposited for the purposes of this Act by, or on behalf of, the Minister at the offices of the Department of Health, Miesian Plaza, 50 to 58 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, and that— (a) is sealed with the Official Seal of the Minister, and (b) is described as having been deposited for that purpose.

Transfer of persons to Central Mental Hospital and transitional provisions 3. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) every person who, immediately before the relocation day, is lawfully detained in the former Central Mental Hospital in accordance with a relevant provision shall, on and after that day, continue to be lawfully detained in the former Central Mental Hospital pending his or her transfer to the Central Mental Hospital.

(2)Every person in relation to whom subsection (1) applies shall, during the transitional period, be transferred to the Central Mental Hospital and shall, during his or her transfer, continue to be lawfully detained.

(3)Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to require a review of an order made in accordance with— (a) section 14 or 15 of the Act of 2001, or (b) section 4, 5 or 15 of the Act of 2006.

(4)In this section— “relevant provision” means— (a) section 202 or 203 of the Defence Act 1954 , (b) section 14, 15 or 21 of the Act of 2001, or (c) section 4, 5 or 15 of the Act of 2006; “transitional period” means the period beginning on the relocation day and ending on the day before the closure day.

Closure day 4. (1) Subject to subsection (2) the Minister shall, by order, appoint a day to be the closure day on which the former Central Mental Hospital shall cease to operate.

(2)Before making an order under subsection (1) the Minister shall consult the Minister for Justice and the Mental Health Commission.

(3)The day appointed by the Minister under subsection (1) shall be not later than 3 months after the relocation day.

Exclusions 5. Nothing in this Act shall prejudice any right or entitlement of a person under or relating to— (a) section 15(3)(b), 18, 19 or 28 of the Act of 2001, or (b) section 13, 17 or 18 of the Act of 2006.

Expenses 6. The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, be paid out of monies provided by the Oireachtas.

Repeal 7.

Section 39

of the Mental Treatment Act 1961 is repealed.

Short title and commencement 8. (1) This Act may be cited as the Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Act 2020.

(2)This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister, following consultation with the Minister for Justice, may by order or orders appoint either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes or different provisions.

Privacy Statement Accessibility European Legislation Identifier (PDF) Open Data License Ráiteas Príobháideachais Inrochtaineacht Aitheantóir Eorpach Reachtaíochta (ELI) Ceadúnas Sonraí Oscailte Liosta Fianán © Government of Ireland. Oireachtas Copyright Material is reproduced with the permission of the Houses of the Oireachtas © Rialtas na hÉireann. Atáirgtear ábhar faoi Chóipcheart le cead ó Thithe an Oireachtais

AI explanation based on the official legal text. Indicative, not a substitute for legal advice.