Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on recommendations contained in A Vision for Change; if she is satisfied with the implementation of the plan to date; if she will provide a further detailed implementation plan setting out the major activities to implement the plan, with explicit annualised performance targets and indicators, budgets and timelines; and if same will be published by the third anniversary of A Vision for Change in January 2009. [12978/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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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 action to develop modern, high quality mental health services over a seven to ten year period. The Government has accepted the Report as the basis for the future development of our mental health services. Implementation of the Report is the responsibility of the HSE.

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 Monitoring Group indicated that despite some significant initiatives, there was little evidence of a systematic approach to implementation within the HSE.

In January 2008, the Government announced the establishment of the Office for Disability and Mental Health. The Office's functions include driving the recommendations of 'A Vision for Change', bringing a new impetus to the implementation of the Report through working in partnership with the HSE and other stakeholders to achieve implementation of agreed targets.

The HSE recently approved an Implementation Plan which sets out six key priorities for 2008 and 2009. Following concerns raised by the Office for Disability and Mental Health regarding the need for a longer-term focus, the HSE has indicated that it will prepare a more comprehensive plan before the end of this year.