Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 331: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the recommendation from Amnesty International that her Department should convene an interdepartmental working group to take forward the intersectoral components of A Vision for Change; her further views on same; if she will convene the working group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6165/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Following the publication of the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, "A Vision for Change" in January 2006, I established an independent monitoring group to monitor progress on the report's recommendations. The group is monitoring and assessing progress on the implementation of all the recommendations including those which require to be progressed by the HSE, government departments and other relevant agencies. The Group is to submit its first annual report before mid 2007.

In these circumstances the interagency dimension of mental health is being addressed and it is not my intention to establish a separate interdepartmental group at this point.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will respond to the Amnesty International recommendation that a national mental health promotion strategy should be produced at the earliest opportunity prescribing the role, responsibilities, activities and budgets of responsible Government Departments and agencies. [6166/07]

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" launched in January 2006, 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" highlights the importance of mental health promotion in the prevention of mental health problems through the development of coping and problem-solving skills, help-seeking and resilience. It also recommends that mental health promotion should be available for all age groups, to enhance the protective factors and decrease risk factors for developing mental health problems.

In March 2006, I appointed an independent monitoring group to monitor progress on the implementation of all the recommendations in "A Vision for Change". In addition, the Health Service Executive recently 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. Both of these Groups will play an important role in ensuring that the recommendations are implemented in a co-ordinated and timely manner.

The Health Service Executive now has responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services, including health promotion programme development and implementation. The National Office for Suicide Prevention is planning, in conjunction with voluntary organisations, a national mental health promotion campaign to impact on the stigma of mental health and to encourage help seeking. The campaign is currently being developed and is to be launched in the coming months.