Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the timeline for implementation and funding of the A Vision for Change strategy as mentioned in the programme for Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17618/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, A Vision for Change, which was launched in January 2006, provides a framework for the development of a modern, high quality mental health service over a seven to ten year period. It is estimated that the full implementation of A Vision for Change will require additional funding of €150 million (2006 prices) over the seven to ten year implementation period. 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.

It is estimated that substantial capital investment in the order of €800m will also be required to provide and equip the proposed new mental health service infrastructure. Funds raised from the sale of lands attached to former psychiatric hospitals will be used for this purpose.