Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 593: To ask the Minister for Health if he will review a matter (details supplied) regarding mental health reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34300/11]

Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to a pre-budget submission (details supplied) regarding mental health reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34361/11]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 605: To ask the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the recommendations made by mental health reform are given urgent and detailed consideration in the context of budget 2012 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34455/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 593, 601 and 605 together.

The Government is committed to implementing A Vision for Change and reforming our model of healthcare delivery so that more and better quality care is delivered in the community. In this regard I have asked the HSE to prepare an implementation plan, which will identify specific recommendations of A Vision for Change that can be progressed over the next three years, with timelines, detailed costs, structures and identifiable person(s) responsible for driving the change including delivery on the commitments in our Programme for Government. The question of a Directorate for mental health and issues related to staffing levels particularly in community mental health teams will be examined in this context.

It is the Government's intention that over time access to modern mental health services in the community will be significantly improved. The Programme for Government includes a commitment to ring-fence €35 million annually from within the health budget to develop community mental health teams and services. This currently being considered as part of the Estimates process for 2012 and future years.

A Vision for Change also recognised that all citizens should be treated equally and that access to employment for people with mental health difficulties should be on the same basis as any other citizen. We are endeavouring, through housing, education and community based health care, to provide the environment in which employment opportunities can be availed of by all on an equal basis.