Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. What is the formal procedure for ensuring that NESF reports serve a purpose and that its recommendations are taken on board by Government in making key decisions? Will he confirm that members of the Opposition have repeatedly raised a whole series of excellent reports by the NESF that appear not to have been taken on board by the Government.

Is the Taoiseach familiar with the detail of one of the most recent reports, published by the NESF last month, a comprehensive report on mental health and social inclusion? If so, did he note it stressed the need to fully fund and implement the recommendations of the Government's mental health policy, A Vision for Change? The Taoiseach must also have noted that in last week's budget we saw again the very inadequate interim arrangement for a paltry 18 additional beds for child and adolescent mental health services. I have examined the detail of this matter with alarm that these beds will not be in facilities appropriate to children and will, therefore, be in breach of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Does the Taoiseach agree that this is alarming and that the Government's mental health policy, A Vision for Change, must be progressed in line with the recommendations underscored in last month's NESF report?

I am only using this report as an example, but has the Taoiseach noted that the NESF report contains a recommendation that would require action by him and his Department? Has the Taoiseach responded to the recommendation to establish a cross-departmental team to draw up targets, priorities and an implementation schedule for implementing A Vision for Change and dealing with social exclusion of those with mental health problems? This NESF report has a specific recommendation for the Taoiseach and his Department in this area. Will the Taoiseach outline to the House his decision on this matter? Does he intend to implement the recommendation and how soon will he act upon it?

At our party conference in Dublin at the weekend a useful suggestion was made by a representative of the Polish community that a place be reserved on the NESF for a representative of immigrant communities. Will the Taoiseach take on board the recommendation from this source and advise us of his disposition towards such a request?

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