Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Health when he will re-establish an independent monitoring group to oversee the implementation of A Vision for Change in view of the recent seven year anniversary of the document, published to help develop mental health services; the priorities that are in place to ensure the continued development of mental health services away from institutional style care towards community-centred care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4792/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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This Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change and is committed in particular to the delivery of more and better quality care in the community. In this regard, a special allocation of €35m was provided in 2012 primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both adult and children’s mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems and to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities, in line with A Vision for Change. A further additional €35m for mental health was provided in Budget 2013 representing a total of €70m additional revenue available this year to continue to develop and reform our mental health services. Over 880 new mental health professionals will be employed to strengthen these services. I have been assured by the HSE that the recruitment process for the 470 new posts being funded in 2013 will commence immediately and any outstanding posts from the 414 approved in 2012, will also be filled in the near future.

The current priority is to review the Mental Health Act 2001, which is expected to be completed in the coming months, after which we will consider reviewing A Vision for Change and establishing independent monitoring arrangements. In the interim, the HSE continues to implement A Vision for Change, with the substantial additional funding provided in 2012 and 2013, and reports on this on a monthly basis, through the HSE National Service Plan.