Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received the detailed implementation plan for 2009 in relation to A Vision for Change; the funding ringfenced for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45504/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE's implementation plan for a Vision for Change for the period 2000-2013 is currently being finalised.

I would emphasise, however, that implementation of the recommendations in A Vision for Change is dependent to a much greater extent on the remodelling of existing resources than on new additional funds.

Instead of focusing on inputs, such as extra funding and extra staff, we need to concentrate on making better use of the existing resources being devoted to health services, including mental health services. We need to define the type of outcomes we want to achieve such as achieving the best possible recovery for individuals with mental health problems. We then need to identify the outputs which will best deliver these outcomes such as more community based mental health services which build on the supports available from family and friends. It is against this background that A Vision for Change recommends, for example, the closure of all psychiatric hospitals and the reinvestment of the resources released by these closures in community mental health services.

My Department will continue to work with the HSE to provide the best possible services to people with mental health problems within whatever resources are made available by the Government each year.