Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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892. To ask the Minister for Health if he will undertake an independent review of the mental health services in counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1602/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As I have indicated on several occasions in recent times, HSE West has been resourced to implement A Vision for Change to modernise mental health services in the Galway/Roscommon administrative area. Existing resources in this area need to be re-shaped, which is now being progressed by the Executive, in line with similar re-configurations undertaken, or planned, elsewhere nationally.

In light of the above, a detailed assessment was carried out by HSE West, to reconfigure mental health services in Galway/Roscommon. An Expert Group applied an open and transparent scoring system to propose recommendations to bring about much needed re-configuration of mental health services in the region.

HSE West has also established an Implementation Team to progress the recommendations for this initiative, and to address any outstanding local concerns. I agree with the approach now being undertaken by the HSE to improve mental health services for this area, taking account of all relevant policy, service, and resource issues. In the circumstances, I do not support an independent review as suggested by the Deputy.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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893. To ask the Minister for Health if he will review the policy whereby access to an acute mental health facility is determined by address; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1603/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Responsibility for the management and delivery of mental health services lies with the Health Service Executive. I have therefore, asked the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.