Dr. Philip Dodd:

I thank the Deputy for the question. The area of service improvement for dual diagnosis is about providing appropriate supports to people with mental health difficulties and addictions, which is a key part of Sharing the Vision, our mental health policy. The HSE has established a national clinical programme to develop services for dual diagnosis in collaboration with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and the national working group with key stakeholder representation. The model of care for that service improvement is at a late stage of drafting and should be launched and approved within the next two quarters. In advance of that, funding has been provided for the establishment of a number of pilot sites, including in the Limerick area. The clinical lead for that programme, Dr. Niazi, is providing key clinical leadership within the HSE to develop clear pathways for people who often find it difficult to negotiate appropriate care pathways when they present, for example, at emergency departments. It is a key focus of service improvement, as it is in Sharing the Vision, and has been the focus of investment.