Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Positive mental health is an essential component of the Government's strategy to enhance the overall health and well-being of our population. While mental health problems are, unfortunately, increasing throughout society, emerging awareness and associated debate surrounding these issues can only be welcomed. A corresponding development of policies and ensuring timely and accessible services for those with serious mental illness has therefore never been more important. In this context, the Government remains firmly committed to implementing A Vision for Change so that we have, in reality, a comprehensive, integrated, and evidence-based system of mental health services. While this approach includes, for example, obvious areas such as promotion, prevention, and a variety of treatment services, the specific area of recovery and associated rehabilitative supports is also being progressed.

An improved understanding of mental illness means that most people who use mental health services will recover to enjoy a good quality of life. The inclusion in A Vision for Change of rehabilitation and recovery community mental health teams endorses the concept of rehabilitation within an overall, effective service. Rehabilitation and recovery span virtually all aspects of mental health services, extending from continuing care to community residences, day centres and individual family supports. More than 2,800 people with a history of mental health illness live in community residences receiving either high, medium or low-level support, depending on assessed needs. Additional services are provided via social housing, day centre or social support networks within local communities.

The HSE service plan for 2013 specifically identified the need to embed and develop the ethos of recovery in the mental health care programme. The HSE will continue to strengthen this and all relevant aspects of its multidisciplinary model of care over 2014. There are 13 consultant-led rehabilitation and recovery teams. The national mental health division in the HSE is conducting a comprehensive review of its resources to maximise potential and address any gaps in specialist rehabilitation and recovery services. Where specialist rehabilitation and recovery teams have yet to be provided, these services can alternatively be delivered by general adult mental health teams.

A major direction undertaken by our mental health services since the publication of A Vision for Change is to provide services in community settings and improve access for individuals. In this regard, a significant portion of the €90 million provided since 2012 for new service developments has been directed to strengthening community mental health teams, including rehabilitation supports for adults and children.

Recruitment of the posts approved for 2012 and 2013 is continuing. As of the end of November, the recruitment process is complete or in the final stages for 395, or 95%, of the 414 posts approved in 2012. Of the posts approved in 2013, the recruitment process is complete for 134, or 28%, with 278, or 58%, at various stages of recruitment. The posts related to the €35 million allocated in 2013 will continue to come on stream and are targeted to be completed in quarter 2 of 2014.

As I have indicated, addressing the historic deficiencies of our mental health services remains a priority for Government. The Deputy and the House can remain assured that we are firmly committed to delivering A Vision for Change, including its important aspects relating to rehabilitation services.

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