Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy correctly said, chapter 12 of A Vision for Change addresses the issue he raised, which is the needs of people with severe and enduring mental illness in the context of rehabilitation and recovery, and the document envisaged a consultant-led team per 100,000 of population. He listed the professionals who would be associated with the team and the work that would be required of them. Ultimately, one team per 100,000 of population would require 45 teams nationally. I note the Deputy's comments regarding the ongoing recruitment process. My ministerial colleague, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has worked tirelessly to ensure resources are provided and deployed to make sure these posts are filled and progress has been made in that regard.

The ring-fenced moneys in 2014 will enable the HSE to continue to develop and modernise our mental heath services in line with the recommendations of A Vision for Change and will allow for the recruitment of between 250 and 280 additional staff to enhance further our adult community mental health teams, child and adolescent mental health teams and specialist mental health teams, which will go a long way to redressing the historic and legacy issues in mental health service provision. A significant amount has been achieved by the Government and, in particular by Deputy Kathleen Lynch, in that regard. I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, as he has done on many occasions previously. I welcome his support and his constant pressure on this issue.

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