Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I am replying to this debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who has responsibility for disability, equality, mental health and older people's issues. I thank Senator Norris for raising this matter.

In line with a Vision for Change, a comprehensive change programme which will deliver a modern patient-centred quality and responsive community-based model of mental health services for the people of Carlow, Kilkenny and south Tipperary is currently under way. Central to this is also the closure of old long stay institutional-type facilities. To this end, the HSE has developed a very detailed plan for the further development of mental health services in the Carlow-Kilkenny and south Tipperary areas in line with A Vision for Change. This plan will see the majority of patients and clients being treated in the community by enhanced community mental health teams, newly formed home-based treatment teams and the expansion of the acute day services and day hospitals in both Carlow and Kilkenny. These comprehensive community services will mean that far fewer people will require care in an acute inpatient hospital setting.

The budgetary situation in 2012 will challenge all areas of the health service to provide continuity of services that are both appropriate and safe for patients. Like other care areas, savings are being required from the mental health service. Due to staff retirements from Carlow mental health services, there is a requirement for the HSE to reorganise services and to match staffing resources with service and activity priorities.

STEER, the supported training education employment referral programme, to which the Senator referred, is a community-based vocational rehabilitation service which provides assistance to mental health service users to gain access to mainstream education and employment. It is currently staffed by one whole-time nurse. It is proposed to redeploy this staffing resource to Carlow day hospital. The provision of the STEER service will continue, however it will now be provided by members of the community mental health team.

In addition, it is proposed to redeploy allied health professionals to assist with the provision of this important aspect of a person's recovery and integration into mainstream activities. I very much welcome the general approach which the Senator outlined that STEER has taken in regard to bringing people closer to mainstream services.

I am also glad to say that it was possible in budget 2012 to announce a special allocation of €35 million for mental health services. This funding will be used primarily to strengthen community mental health teams in both adult and children's mental health services. I think we all agree it is important that we get best value for our available resources. We need to co-ordinate our efforts and work together to develop our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change recommendations. In essence we need to provide more with less and, in effect, this has already been successfully achieved in mental health service provision in other areas.

This House can be absolutely assured of the Government's unwavering commitment to our mental health services. The provision of an additional €35 million in the current very difficult economic circumstances is evidence of our commitment in that regard.