Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14810/10]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has a comprehensive mental health policy framework in place which outlines a set of values and principles that will guide both Government and service providers as we proceed to develop and put in place a modern high- quality mental health service. This policy document 'A Vision for Change' proposes a holistic view of mental illness and recommends an integrated multidisciplinary approach to addressing the biological, psychological and social factors that contribute to mental health problems. It recommends a person centred treatment approach which addresses each of these elements through an integrated care plan, reflecting best practice and most importantly evolved and agreed with both service users and their carers.

In January 2008, the Government established the Office for Disability and Mental Health as a cross-cutting Government Office with a remit across the then four Government Departments: Health and Children, Education and Skills, Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and Justice 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.

A Cross Sectoral Group on an employment strategy for people with disabilities has also been established by the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation and the Department of Health and Children to provide a mechanism for a cross sectoral approach between Departments and their agencies in providing employment services to people with disabilities, including those with mental health difficulties. The group is co-chaired by both departments and also includes representatives from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, FÁS and the HSE.

The Office for Disability and Mental Health is also participating in the development by the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government of a housing strategy for people with disabilities which will have a particular emphasis on the housing needs of people with mental health difficulties. I understand that the strategy will be published in May 2010.