James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 615: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the details of the revised programme for Government commitment in respect of mental health, to reduce admission rates to acute units; the timelines and targets in relation to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39121/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The provisions in the Revised Programme for Government in relation to mental health are consistent with 'A Vision for Change' the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy (2006), which has been adopted as Government policy. That Report provides a framework for action to develop a modern high quality mental health service over a 7 to 10 year period. The aim is to migrate from traditional institutional based model to a patient-centred, flexible and community based mental health service, where need for hospital admission is greatly reduced, whilst still providing in-patient care when appropriate.

In April 2009, the HSE adopted an implementation plan for 'A Vision for Change' for the five year period 2009 - 2013. The HSE recently appointed a national lead for mental health who will drive the implementation of 'A Vision for Change'. The Department of Health and Children will be engaging with the HSE, in the context of progressing its Service Plan for 2010, to set targets for reductions in admission rates.