Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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51. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 104 of 1 December 2016, the timeframe for the defined period for evaluating the pilot peer support initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4503/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As you will be aware, the 2016 National Mental Health Division’s Operational Plan outlined an objective to introduce Peer Support Workers in Mental Health Services. Peer Support Workers are people who have lived experience of mental distress and recovery. The Peer Support Worker role will use expertise gained through lived experience to promote recovery, share information to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for connection with local communities. In addition to working with other mental health multidisciplinary professionals, it is envisaged that the Peer Support Worker will work alongside an agreed number of service users on a one to one and/or group basis.

Following a national competitive process for all HSE Mental Health Service areas, an initial funding allocation to develop the national Peer Support Initiative was allocated as part of a pilot initiative to a small number of Multidisciplinary Teams in the Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary area. The pilot initiative is set to commence in early 2017. The pilot sites will be evaluated after a defined period of time and following this, it is anticipated that the Peer Support Worker will be developed (subject to additional resources) across the extended catchment area.

As yet, Peer Support Workers are not in place. They have been selected with training due to start on 20th February 2017. Plans for evaluations are in process but not yet completed. The Mental Health Engagement Office for the Division is leading on this initiative and is collaborating with all stakeholders to progress plans for this evaluation.

Additionally, a commitment to Peer Support is outlined in the 2017 HSE National Service Plan, with a stated aim of recruitment and training of 20 whole time equivalent (WTE) peer support workers.