Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 372: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her proposals to ensure that adequate access to treatment and care is available specifically for people with eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5042/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, entitled "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 7 to 10 years. "A Vision for Change" acknowledges gaps in the current provision of services for people with eating disorders and makes several recommendations for the further improvement of these 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. €0.75 million of this additional funding is for the initial development of a dedicated eating disorder service in each HSE area through a combination of reconfiguring existing services and commissioning services from agencies.

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 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive is, therefore, the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.