Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 117: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the timeframe for implementing the recommendations in A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42426/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, 'A Vision for Change', provides a framework for action to develop modern, high quality mental health services over a seven to ten year period. Implementation of 'A Vision for Change' is primarily the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Earlier this year, the HSE approved an Implementation Plan which sets out six key priorities for 2008 and 2009. They include:

Catchment Area Definition and Clarification

Modernisation of the Mental Health Infrastructure

Community Based Mental Health Teams

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams

Mental Health Services for People with Intellectual Disability

Mental Health Information Systems

A more detailed implementation plan for the period 2009 and beyond is being developed by the HSE and will be submitted to me before the end of this year.

In January 2008, the Office for Disability and Mental Health was established. The Office will bring 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.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a survey commissioned by a support group (details supplied) ascertained that parents of children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder wait an average of four years before securing a diagnosis for their child and that as a consequence there is a substantial delay in providing appropriate services for such children; and the steps she will take to ensure that such assessments and diagnoses are more speedily undertaken and essential services provided. [42173/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of the particular survey referred to by the Deputy. As the rest of the question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal social services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have the matter investigated and a reply issued directly to the Deputy.