Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 157: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the action she has taken to review the Mental Health Act 2001, to update this in line with the new Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and in view of the proposed amendments to the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill due out in 2010; the further action taken to co-ordinate the delivery of mental health services across Departments; if a new strategy is being developed to promote the delivery of community based mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the amnesty proposals. [7094/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Mental Health Act 2001 provides a modern framework for the admission and treatment of persons with a mental disorder. It provides important safeguards to people who are involuntarily admitted by ensuring that all admission and renewal orders are subject to automatic and independent review by a Mental Health Tribunal. The Act also established the Mental Health Commission which is responsible for promoting, encouraging and fostering the establishment of high standards and good practices in the delivery of mental health services and taking all reasonable steps to protect the interests of persons detained in approved centres. The Act is due to be reviewed in 2011 and the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability will be among the issues to be considered in that context.

A Vision for Change outlines Government policy for the future development of mental health services including community based services. 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 provides for greater cohesion across the public service and brings together responsibility for a range of different policy areas and State services. 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. 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.