Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on bringing forward a cross-departmental action plan regarding the implementation of A Vision for Change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15205/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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In January 2008, the Government established the Office for Disability and Mental Health as a cross-cutting Government Office with a remit across four Government Departments: Health and Children, Education and Science, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The Office was assigned four key priorities one of which is to bring a new impetus to the implementation of 'A Vision for Change' working in partnership with the HSE and other stakeholders including other Government Departments to achieve implementation of agreed targets. The Office aims to bring about improvements in the manner in which services respond to the needs of people with disabilities and mental health difficulties, by working to develop person-centred services, focusing on the holistic needs of clients and service users and actively involving them in their own care.

Bilateral meetings with officials from other Government Departments to discuss progressing recommendations in 'A Vision for Change' and 'Reach Out' are taking place within this context.