Martin Ferris (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
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23. To ask the Minister for Health to support the provision of additional crisis houses as oulined in A Vision For Change. [13726/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Crisis houses are designed for those who are in need of acute intervention but who do not require hospital care. A key objective is the provision of a safer, less stigmatising alternative to hospital care that provides refuge and support in a more communal, family-like environment. The HSE Operational Plan for Mental Health 2016 highlights the need to expand services for those who are homeless, and who also have mental health issues, through an improved multi-agency approach.

The current development of Crisis Houses, and Crisis Intervention Teams, form part of a spectrum of service supports for individuals with a mental illness presenting in crisis. One of the objectives of the HSE Mental Health Division has been to improve the response of mental health services for individuals in such circumstances. This includes accommodation and treatment for an individual in the most appropriate setting, relevant to their presenting need.

The new Programme for Government commits to further enhancing 24/7 service support and liaison teams in primary and emergency care, building on the commitment in the HSE National Service Plan 2016 for this area, including the development and staffing of crisis houses, and enhanced 24/7 access to specialist services where a psychiatric assessment considers this necessary.