Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on findings of the Mental Health Commission's recent survey of adult users of public sector mental health services; the plans she has to respond to the finding that people in deep crisis find themselves waiting months for an appointment with a specialist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29587/06]

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 184: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that in a recent Report on the Views of Adult Users of the Public Sector Mental Health Services, it was stated that admissions of patients who are involuntarily admitted to psychiatric institutions must be made less traumatic and more dignified for the patients and for their families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29539/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 184 together.

It is recognised that involuntary admissions can often be a traumatic experience for the service user and their families and carers. The development of community based mental health services, as advocated in A Vision for Change, provides alternatives to involuntary admissions. The Mental Health Act 2001, which will come into full effect on 1st November, 2006 also introduces new protections for the involuntary patient and emphasises the right of the patient to information. The absence of information during the involuntary admission process was one of the issues highlighted by the service users in the study.

The Mental Health Commission will be monitoring the involuntary admission process with the commencement of all sections of the Mental Health Act 2001 on 1st November 2006.

The Deputy's question about waiting times for mental health services relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her plans for a national action plan for dementia. [29596/06]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that the development of services for people of all ages with Alzheimer's Disease is based on the Action Plan for Dementia published by the National Council on Ageing and Older People in 1999. The Plan outlines the complexity and range of issues involved in the effective management of dementia and emphasises the need for the development of co-ordinated, multi-layered and well-resourced services, which are responsive to the individual needs of people with dementia and those who care for them. A number of recommendations are outlined the Plan including; an increase in funding, changes to service delivery mechanisms, expansion of Old Age Psychiatry services, increased supports for family carers and the provision of day care and respite services.

Considerable progress has been made in service development since the publication of the report and, in each of the years 1999 to 2005, the Department and the HSE provided additional funding to Psychiatry of Old Age (over €5 million) and to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (over €2 million) for services delivered. The Health Service Executive is also making progress in the provision of stand-alone Dementia Units on a gradual basis. Since the report was published supports have also been enhanced in relation to community nursing, paramedical services and home help services. In terms of dementia specific services, new day care centres and residential units have been designed and developed in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Home care services have also been specifically developed to meet the needs of persons with Alzheimer's and their carers. All of the above provisions apply to all Dementia sufferers, regardless of age.

There is a complementary link between Government policy in the area of the care of older people and in care for people with dementia. Both policies stress the need to provide support in dignity and independence, through the provision of appropriate services to the people concerned and their carers. The Government is fully committed to providing such support and service improvement, including the expansion of community and residential care services for people with Dementia. This commitment was reflected in the additional funding of €150 million allocated in the 2006 Budget towards improving services for older people and palliative care. Approximately two thirds of this money is allocated to community support for older people. This is the largest ever increase in funding for services for older people.

The additional funding provided for Home Care Packages and the Home Help Scheme will further enhance the supports available to families caring for people with dementia at home. The Health Service Executive works closely with the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland and this has resulted in greater awareness of the needs of people with dementia and the development of a wide range of supports.