Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Deputy Wall for raising the issue and I assure him I will bring his remarks to the attention of the Tánaiste.

The management and delivery of services at Clonree House is primarily a matter for the Health Service Executive. The HSE has informed the Department of Health and Children that Clonree House opened in December 2005 to facilitate the refurbishment of another residential facility in the mental health services for Kildare and west Wicklow. I am advised that six residents live in Clonree House and all residents have been assessed by the mental health services rehabilitation staff. The plan is to transfer them in the near future to community residences which are deemed to be more appropriate to their needs. This will be carried out in consultation with the individuals concerned and their families. The HSE is examining proposals for the most efficient and effective use of Clonree House for the patients of the Kildare adult mental health services.

As the Deputy may be aware, the report of the expert group on mental health policy, A Vision for Change, was published by my colleague the Minister for State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, in January this year. This report has been accepted by Government as the basis for the future development of mental health policy. This report is the first comprehensive review of mental health policy since Planning for the Future was published in 1984.

Recent years have seen dramatic changes in both the concept and innovative practice of mental health care delivery. These changes have been very much in line with the model of service provision now recommended by the expert group. The focus of mental health service provision is to work towards a community-based model of supporting, caring for and treating people with mental illness who live in their own communities. This is achieved through a range of services, which includes outpatient clinics, day hospitals, home visits, community residences and supported accommodation as well as working in collaboration with voluntary organisations.

A Vision for Change envisions an active, flexible and community-based mental health service where the need for hospital admission will be greatly reduced. The report recommends that a programme of capital and non-capital investment in mental health services adjusted in line with inflation should be implemented in a phased basis over the next seven to ten years. The proposals in that document will allow for further significant expansion in community services and in specialised services for groups such as children, older people and those with particular needs.

The programme of further investment began this year, with an additional €25 million allocated to the HSE for the development of mental health services. This brings to €835 million the estimated non-capital expenditure on our mental health services in 2006. The Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, who has special responsibility for mental health will seek the active support of all involved in the mental health services so that together we can bring about the far-reaching improvements contained in A Vision for Change. l assure Deputy Wall that decisions in regard to the future use of Clonree House will be made in accordance with the recommendations in that document. I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

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