Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 702: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the Mental Health Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22505/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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1The Government is committed to a review of the Mental Health Act 2001 which will be informed by human rights standards. I have recently agreed the following Terms of Reference;

In consultation with service users, carers and other stakeholders, to review the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001 having regard to –

(a) its general operation since its commencement;

(b) the extent to which the recommendations of 'A Vision for Change ' could or should be underpinned by legislation;

(c) the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities,

(d) the current economic environment,

and to make a report to the Minister by June 2012 with recommendations, including recommendations for legislative amendments where appropriate.

A steering group comprised of officials from my Department, the HSE and the Mental Health Commission has now been established to oversee the review and the group had their first meeting last week. The group will undertake a wide ranging consultation in the Autumn to seek the views of the public, relevant stakeholders and other interested groups; the open consultation will be advertised in the Press. Following the public consultation process, the group propose to conduct a number of meetings with key stakeholders.

I have asked the steering group to prepare an interim report for me by 31 December 2011 setting out the results of the consultation process and the main issues and questions to be resolved in the full review. The substantive work of the review will then commence with the final report completed by mid 2012.