Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

511. To ask the Minister for Health when the external evidence and expert review which was commissioned to a company (details supplied) as the first step in determining the parameters of a revision of A Vision for Change will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32828/17]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

'A Vision for Change' has guided national mental health policy for the past 10 years and its term came to an end in 2016. The first stage of the review involved an expert evidence review and analysis of national and international best practice in the development and delivery of mental health services. The Department of Health awarded a contract for this review in November 2016. The evidence review has identified sites of best practice, outlining how these models can apply to the Irish context. The review also assessed the current delivery of Mental Health Services in Ireland having regard to the international evidence and the implementation of 'A Vision for Change'.

This first stage evidence review was completed in late February 2017. It will now inform the parameters of a broader review of 'A Vision for Change', through the establishment of an Oversight Committee which will oversee the development of a new policy for mental health based on the outcome of the Expert Review. It is envisioned that the appointment for the Chair of the Oversight Committee will shortly be confirmed, at which point the evidence review will be published.