Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 272: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress on the recommendation in A Vision for Change that mental health service providers should draw up service user involvement policies and create suitable forms to ensure they are implemented; the detail of such forms; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6170/07]

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. The Government is committed to the full implementation of "A Vision for Change" and has accepted the report as the basis for the future development of mental health services. The report contains a number of recommendations relating to the involvement of service users as active participants in the planning and delivery of mental health services.

Implementation of the individual recommendations of "A Vision for Change" is a matter primarily for the HSE. The HSE established an implementation group in July 2006 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. I have been informed by the HSE that they plan to publish a Progress Report and outline the proposed implementation programme over the life of "A Vision for Change" in the near future.

In recent years significant funding has been provided to support the work of advocacy groups in the mental health area. These groups include the Irish Advocacy Network, Schizophrenia Ireland, Grow, Steer, Aware, Mental Health Ireland and Bodywhys. In recognition of the key role of advocacy related to hospital admission and detention, peer advocacy is now available at all psychiatric acute admission sites, many community service sites and the Central Mental Hospital.

In January 2007, the HSE launched the National Service User Executive for mental health services, in line with the recommendations of "A Vision for Change". This group will ensure mental health service users have a meaningful and significant input into shaping the future development and direction of mental health services. The National Service User Executive will offer advice and make recommendations to the HSE and the Department, play an active role in service design and delivery, as well as promoting the role of service users throughout the mental health services.