Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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378. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a matter (detail supplied) regarding the diagnosis of mental illness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19749/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The HSE is committed to safeguarding vulnerable persons from abuse and a national policy Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abuse was launched in December 2014. The aim of this policy is to provide a consistent approach to protect persons at risk of abuse across, for example, older people and disability services. This new policy is for all HSE and HSE funded services, and builds upon and incorporates existing policies in this regard. As this policy is implemented in 2015 there will be changes to strengthen Safeguarding and Protection Teams in each Community Healthcare Organisation. Clear procedures are being developed at operational level where concerns arise relating to vulnerable persons.

Therefore, Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk of Abusenow provides one overarching policy to which all agencies will subscribe and implement in their place of work ensuring:

- a consistent approach to protecting vulnerable people from abuse and neglect;

- all services have a publicly declared 'No Tolerance' approach to any form of abuse;

- a culture which supports that this ethos is promoted.

In addition, the Medical Council is responsible for the regulation of doctors in Ireland. One of its main responsibilities is to protect the public by promoting and ensuring the highest professional standards amongst doctors. If an individual is of the opinion that these standards have been breached, along the lines specified by the Deputy, then they may make a complaint to the Council about an individual doctor on the grounds of professional misconduct. It should also be noted that it is open to any individual to contact either the HSE or the Gardaí to inform them of any suspicion of a crime of the nature raised, so that a proper investigation may be carried out by relevant agencies.

In the light of the above, I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for direct reply, in relation to a more detailed response on the specific operational issues raised as regards the provision of mental health care by the Executive.