Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the way the policy of admitting children with mental health issues into adult wards is perceived internationally; if it is best practice; the number of children each year for the past five years who have been admitted to adult wards; if the provisions for mental health in young people, including the number of psychologists and psychiatrists here per 1000 of population in comparison to other OECD countries, are sufficient; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2549/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The undesirability of admitting children to units providing care and treatment to adults is recognised but in the absence of an alternative, such admissions are sometimes necessary. The Mental Health Commission has issued a code of practice relating to the admission of children under the Mental Health Act 2001 which outlines interim arrangements and facilities that should be put in place to ensure the protection and safety of such children.

The development of child and adolescent mental health services is a priority for the HSE. During 2008, four beds were commissioned in St Anne's, Galway and work was completed on a six bedded unit at St Vincent's, Fairview, Dublin and the refurbishment of an eight bedded interim unit at St Stephen's, Cork. These beds will be brought into operation in 2009. Construction has commenced on two 20-bedded units in Cork and Galway. The provision of this additional bed capacity within the child and adolescent service will ensure that the inappropriate admission of 16 and 17 year olds to adult psychiatric units is curtailed.

With regard to the specific details requested in relation to the number of children admitted to adult units and the number of psychologists and psychiatrists per 1000 of population, my Department has requested the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when a director for mental health for Ireland will be appointed; the reason there has been a delay in appointing this director in view of the fact that it is recommended by herself and an independent monitoring group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2550/09]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will instruct the Health Service Executive to publish an implementation plan for A Vision for Change that has been approved by her with detailed year on year targets, timeframes and human and financial resource commitments; if such an implementation plan already exists; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2555/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.

Responsibility for the implementation of 'A Vision for Change' is being addressed in the new structure currently being developed in the Health Service Executive. A draft implementation plan has been prepared and will be finalised by the HSE following completion of the restructuring process.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 173: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount spent on mental health services since the launch of the A Vision for Change programme; the amount that has been generated by the sale of lands under the A Vision for Change provisions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2556/09]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is her policy to revise and particularly to ring-fence mental health funding in view of increasing demands on the services due to population growth; and if she will commit to same in view of her stated preference for dealing with patients as outpatients rather than as inpatients. [2558/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 175 together.

Substantial resources are invested in mental health services; overall spending on mental health services in 2007 amounted to €1 billion, and this level of funding continued into 2008 and 2009. The estimated additional cost of the implementation of 'A Vision for Change' the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy is €150m over 7 — 10 years. Development funding totalling €51.2m was allocated to the HSE in 2006 and 2007, some of which was diverted because of core budgetary pressures; however I am advised by the HSE that 94% of the €51.2m will be in place before the end of 2009. Funding will be provided in 2009 for the recruitment of 35 therapy posts for the child and adolescent mental health service. In addition, once-off funding of €1.75m will be provided for suicide prevention initiatives and for mental health projects supporting service users and carers.

It should be noted that the implementation of 'A Vision for Change' is not solely dependent on the provision of additional funding; implementation is dependent to a much greater extent on the remodelling of existing resources. 'A Vision for Change' envisions an active, flexible and community-based mental health service, with a greatly reduced need for hospital admissions.

The Report also recommended that a plan to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals should be drawn up and implemented, and that the resources released by these closures should be re-invested in the new mental health service infrastructure requirement. The Departments of Finance and Health and Children have agreed in principle to the release of the proceeds of the disposal of properties prior to 2006 for reinvestment in mental health capital development. The arrangements for property disposal require Department of Finance approval in each case, the lodging of the proceeds as Exchequer Extra Receipts and the re-Voting of the funds for approved projects. Disposals to date amount to over €42m and a submission detailing the priority projects to be funded from these disposals and planned future disposals is expected to be made by the HSE, for consideration by my Department and the Department of Finance, within the coming months. It is envisaged that this submission will provide an opportunity to achieve overall agreement on the extent and timing of property disposals to facilitate the modernisation of the mental health infrastructure.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of fully staffed community mental health teams in place here. [2557/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.