Schizophrenia Ireland has questioned the motives behind a Government plan to relocate the Central Mental Hospital to the same site as the new Mountjoy prison.
The support group for people with schizophrenia and their families argues the decision, outlined in today's Irish Times, is motivated purely "by financial concerns" and ignores the needs of mentally ill patients.
Schizophrenia Ireland also warned of increased discrimination against the sufferers of severe mental illness if the Government goes ahead with its plan.
The report claims six 100-acre sites in relatively isolated positions around Dublin have been shortlisted for the construction of both a secure mental hospital and the new Mountjoy prison.
However, Mr John Saunders, the organisation's director, told ireland.comthat such a decision reinforces the stigma that mentally ill patients present a serious threat to society.
He said: "People who are referred to the Central Mental Hospital are not there because they have committed a crime, they are there because they suffer from an illness...Putting both the hospital and the new prison on the same site sends out a clear message to people that those with a severe mental illness are the same security threat as convicted prisoners."
He added: "People with schizophrenia have therapeutic needs and locating a hospital on the same site as a prison does not recognise this fact."
While Schizophrenia Ireland welcomes the closure of the Dundrum hospital, which it has always regarded as a "large, outmoded" institution, the organisation is angry at the lack of consultation from the Government over the dramatic move.
The group is also concerned the requirements of the new Mountjoy Prison will be prioritised over those of the Central Mental Hospital.
Mr Saunders said: "Obviously when it comes to design and lay-out of this site the larger institution will have a greater say than the smaller one and we feel that is totally unacceptable."
The organisation is particularly worried about the transport arrangements for the new location. It's understood a special bus corridor will be created for the site but Schizophrenia Ireland claims this will put further pressure on families who care for those with mental illness as they will be thrust into the same system that cater for visitors to Mountjoy prison.
Mr Saunders said: "This arrangement is of course going to heighten the stigma surrounding mentally ill people and their families will feel this keenly when they are forced to be part of the same system as a high security jail."