Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the recent independent report examining the Government's A Vision for Change plan; the reason the Health Service Executive has not issued a detailed implementation proposal for the plan; her views on whether a national mental health services directive should be established; the timeframe for the establishment of this body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23192/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Following the launch of 'A Vision for Change' in January 2006, an independent Monitoring Group was established 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 third annual report was published on 20 April 2009. The Group reported progress with the implementation of certain recommendations of the Report including child and adolescent services, engagement with service users and mental health information systems. However, the Group had concerns in relation to the absence of clearly identifiable dedicated leadership within the HSE to implement 'A Vision for Change' and that a more detailed implementation plan had not yet been made available.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, in April, the HSE adopted an implementation plan for 'A Vision for Change' for the five year period 2009 - 2013. Although a recommendation in 'A Vision for Change' is to establish a National Directorate for Mental Health, this recommendation has not been implemented by the HSE. However, the HSE recently confirmed that a national lead dedicated to mental health will be appointed shortly and will work closely with the National Clinical Director to drive the modernisation of mental health services.