Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when steps will be taken by the relevant Departments and agencies to ensure that adequate and appropriate accommodations will be provided to people with mental health problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34019/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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'A Vision for Change' provides a comprehensive policy framework for the development of mental health services over a 7-10 year period. It recommends, inter alia, that access to housing for individuals with mental health problems should be on the same basis as every other citizen, the provision of social housing is the responsibility of the Local Authority and opportunities for independent housing should be provided.

Bilateral meetings with officials from the Office for Disability and Mental Health and the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to discuss progressing recommendations in 'A Vision for Change' have taken place. The Office is participating in the development of a national housing strategy for people with a disability, including mental illness, by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Cooperation between the HSE and Local Authorities is on-going. The voluntary housing sector also plays a significant role in the provision of social housing with regard to people with disabilities, in partnership with local authorities. Capital funding is provided by the Department of the Environment, through the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS), to approved housing bodies to deliver housing for special needs groups, such as people with disabilities including those with a mental illness.