Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the response she has made to a letter received from a group (details supplied); when the Government will implement the recommendations of the Vision for Change document on mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1673/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Based on the details supplied by the Deputy, I have been unable to locate the letter referred to in the question.

The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, "A Vision for Change", which was launched in January 2006 provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health services for a seven to ten year period. The Government has accepted the Report as the basis for the future development of mental health services.

Implementation of the individual recommendations of "A Vision for Change", is a matter primarily for the Health Service Executive.

An independent Monitoring Group was established in March 2006, to monitor and assess progress by the Health Service Executive, government departments and other agencies in implementing the recommendations set out in the Report. The Monitoring Group's first annual report was published in May 2007. The Report acknowledges the progress made but expressed concern about the lack of a systematic approach to implementation of the Report and the lack of clarity in responsibility for implementation in the HSE.

The HSE has appointed a full time Project Manager to develop and progress its implementation plan. This plan has been finalised and is expected to be signed off by the HSE Management Team shortly.

The Government recently approved the establishment of the Office of the Minister for Disability and Mental Health. This Office will focus on driving the implementation of A Vision for Change.