Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 387: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if he will use the review of the Mental Health Act 2001 as an opportunity to explore using new legislation to address the obligations of health services to provide access to comprehensive community based mental health services and if he will ensure that the terms of reference of the review incorporates this accordingly. [10541/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government is committed to reviewing the Mental Health Act 2001, implementing A Vision for Change and reforming our model of healthcare delivery. The evidence is overwhelming that a modern mental health service is best delivered in the community. In these circumstances the Government is committed to developing community-based services and in that context will ringfence €35m annually from within the health budget to develop community mental health teams and services to ensure early access to more appropriate and better quality care. If legislation is required in respect of any of these measures I will ensure that appropriate proposals are considered in that regard.