Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 405: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the timescale for implementation of the recommendations relating to eating disorders in the strategy document A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5333/07]

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.

The Government has accepted the Expert Group's report as the basis for the future development of the mental health services over the next seven to ten years. In 2006, a sum of €26.2 million was allocated for the development of mental health services. An additional €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 area through a combination of reconfiguring existing services and commissioning services from agencies.

Responsibility for the implementation of the individual recommendations of "A Vision for Change" is the responsibility of the HSE. The HSE implementation group will publish a Progress Report this year and outline the proposed implementation programme for "A Vision for Change". This will include implementation of all recommendations relating to eating disorders.

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.