Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the principles that underpin her Department's policy on the treatment of eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5274/07]

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.

Recommendations include support for health promotion initiatives that encourage greater community and family awareness of eating disorders, the further development of primary and community care services and the provision of a full multidisciplinary team in a National Centre for Eating Disorders for complex cases that cannot be managed by local child and adolescent community mental health teams. Responsibility for the implementation of these recommendations rests with the HSE. In 2006, €26.2 million was allocated for the development of mental health services in line with "A Vision for change". An additional €25 million has been provided in 2007 to continue this development. €0.75 million of this additional funding in 2007 is for the initial development of a dedicated eating disorder service in each area through a combination of reconfiguring existing services and commissioning services from agencies.