James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made on the programme for Government commitment to improve services and supports for marginalised groups, particularly those with mental health difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30039/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to a coherent strategy for social inclusion based on the lifecycle approach set out in the national partnership agreement Towards 2016. In addition, the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion (NAPinclusion), complemented by the social inclusion elements of the National Development Plan 2007-2013: Transforming Ireland – A Better Quality of Life for All, sets out how the social inclusion strategy will be achieved over the period 2007-2016.

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' the National Strategy for Action on Suicide Prevention take place within this context.

With regard to information on specific services and supports available to marginalised groups, the question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.