Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress in implementing the recommendations of the Government's ten-year mental health policy, A Vision for Change; her views on claims that human rights are being fundamentally breached by the Government's neglect of the mental health sector. [41465/06]

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 267: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way her Department plans to ensure the implementation of the new National Policy Framework for Mental Health, A Vision for Change; the action that will be taken on its recommendations by all Government Departments whose role it mentions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41256/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 267 together.

I am committed to the full implementation of "A Vision for Change", the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy. The Government has accepted the Report as the basis for the future development of our mental health services. "A Vision for Change" provides a framework for action to develop a modern high quality mental health service over the next 7 to 10 years.

In March 2006, I appointed an independent monitoring group to monitor progress on the implementation of the recommendations of "A Vision for Change". The group will monitor and assess progress on the implementation of all the recommendations including those which fall under the responsibility of the HSE, government departments and other relevant agencies.

Implementation of the individual recommendations of "A Vision for Change" is a matter primarily for the HSE. The HSE recently established an implementation group to ensure that mental health services develop in a synchronised and consistent manner across the country and to guide and resource service managers and clinicians in making the recommendations in "A Vision for Change" a reality. Both of these groups will play an important role in ensuring that the recommendations are implemented in a co-ordinated and timely manner.

The Mental Health Act, 2001, which was fully implemented from 1st November 2006, significantly improves safeguards for mentally ill persons who are involuntarily admitted for psychiatric care and treatment and will bring Irish mental health law in this area into conformity with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. It provides a modern framework within which people who require treatment or protection can be cared for and treated.

Mental Health Tribunals will conduct a review of each decision to detain a patient on an involuntary basis or to extend the duration of such detention. The review will be independent, automatic and must be completed within 21 days of the detention order being signed.

All involuntary patients detained in psychiatric hospitals under the provisions of the 1945 Act immediately before the 1 November 2006 will also have their cases reviewed by a Mental Health Tribunal. This review must take place before the expiration of their existing detention orders in the case of temporary patients and within 6 months of the 1 November 2006 in the case of persons of unsound mind.

The Inspector of Mental Health Services carries out inspections of all psychiatric hospitals and units, including private facilities, at least once a year. The Mental Health Commission has introduced rules governing the use of ECT and the use of seclusion and mechanical means of bodily restraint and has issued Codes of Practice relating to the use of physical restraint in approved centres.