Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the Deputies who have spoken. On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, I welcome the motion as it highlights the Mental Health Commission’s role in holding to account our mental health services. The improvement of mental health services is an important priority for the Government. The Government supports the commission, providing funding to it of almost €14 million this year. These reports will help to improve outcomes for service users.

Despite the identified areas of concern, compliance rates have increased over the last two years. However, we acknowledge that further improvement is needed and the Department of Health will continue to monitor progress made by the HSE in improving compliance. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new board of the HSE, which held its first meeting last Friday.

It is unacceptable for approved centres to be dirty, and the HSE must ensure that all residents are provided with clean facilities. We all agree they deserve the best and that this is a basic right. Seclusion and physical restraint should only be used for the purposes of treating a patient, or to prevent patients from doing harm to themselves or others. While compliance with seclusion rules is still low, this is improving year-on-year. The same applies to individual care planning. The Government will support the HSE and the commission to work together to further improve compliance in these areas.

The Government notes with concern the findings with regard to the provision of mental health services for children and adolescents. All referrals are assessed on their clinical presentation and need, and those deemed urgent will be seen as a priority. Placement of children and adolescents in adult units should only happen where this is the best care option, bearing in mind all circumstances. The HSE closely monitors such admissions to minimise these. The HSE is reviewing existing levels of service provision and will examine international models of best practice on the most appropriate models of delivery for use in Ireland. As has been said, there are problems in recruiting and retaining specialist staff in child and adolescent services. Efforts are ongoing but there is a shortage of staff at both national and European levels.

The safety and protection of adults who may be at risk of harm is a key objective of the Government. This is why the Government has approved the development of a national policy on adult safeguarding in the health sector, together with any required legislation. Work has been ongoing on updating the Mental Health Act 2001 for some time. The Minister of State, Deputy Daly, is pleased to note that, today, a draft of heads of Bill, based on recommendations of the expert group review of the Act, was sent to the Mental Health Commission for its consideration. This draft represents a detailed and comprehensive piece of work, which aims to improve and modernise certain aspects of the Act in line with international standards. It is important to stress that this is a phase in a process, with the commission likely to require a period of approximately six months to study and comment on the draft heads.

Included in the draft heads are new provisions to allow for regulation by the commission of mental health community residences. I should point out that while such residences are not currently subject to regulation, the commission has the authority to inspect them and recommend improvements which, where possible, the HSE will respond to. In addition, the updated Act will include new text on the provision of information for voluntary patients, given access to such information for involuntary patients is already provided for in the Act. Furthermore, the draft heads include the recognition of rights of 16 year olds and 17 year olds to have an equal say over their mental health care as with physical health.

The motion refers to the Rosalie unit in Roscommon. The HSE consulted widely with patients and families on the provision of alternative care arrangements, as well as taking account of an independent clinical and evidence-based report. On modernisation of care settings, €3 million was allocated for minor capital works in 2018 to help improve mental health facilities. Almost €1 billion was allocated to the HSE’s mental health services for 2019 and funding has increased by over €270 million since 2012. A Vision for Change has provided the framework for mental health policy since 2006. A refresh of this policy is nearing completion and will provide a roadmap for the future of mental health policy in Ireland.

I reaffirm the Government’s commitment to the continued development of a high-quality mental health service for all. While we all agree there is some way to go on this, it is not true to say nothing has been done. The Minister of State, Deputy Daly, has worked tirelessly on many mental health issues since he came into office and I am sure that, in his closing remarks, he will be able to address some of the issues raised by Deputies. We will not be opposing the motion.

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