To ask the Minister of Health for an update on his plans for the future use of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital site.

As the owner of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital site, the Belfast Trust is responsible for planning and implementing the closure arrangements, although the hospital will not close until those patients who remain there are successfully resettled to agreed alternative community placements.

The Trust have confirmed to my Department that they do not expect to have any further use for the site when the hospital closes.

I have asked my officials to develop options for the future use of the Muckamore site with a view to maximising its potential value for the HSC system, and once completed this work will help inform my decision on the future use of the site.