Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 305: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support the establishment of the National Mental Health Directorate, the formation of the mental health catchment areas as outlined in a Vision for Change, the formation of the mental health catchment management teams, concrete moves toward the recruitment of sufficient numbers of qualified healthcare personnel and training to enable full resourcing of community mental health teams. [3529/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, "A Vision for Change", was launched in January 2006. It provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health service over the next seven to ten years. The Government has accepted the Report as the basis for the future development of our mental health services.

In 2006, a sum of €26.2 million was allocated for the development of mental health services in line with "A Vision for Change". A further sum of €25 million has been allocated in 2007 to continue this development. Implementation of the individual recommendations of "A Vision for Change", is a matter primarily for the HSE. In July 2006, the HSE 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. The HSE has also informed my Department that it is currently examining how best to give effect to the recommendation, contained in A Vision for Change, to establish a National Mental Health Service Directorate. Proposals are being developed which will take account of the HSE's existing management structures and the existence of the Expert Advisory Group on Mental Health.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. The Executive is, therefore, the appropriate body to consider the other matters raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.