Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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1017. To ask the Minister for Health the number of From Timid to Tiger programmes facilitated by the HSE in 2019 and to date in 2020; and his plans to extend the programme. [18693/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1018. To ask the Minister for Health the number of services in which persons diagnosed with co-morbid addiction and mental health issues as a dual diagnosis are treated in an integrated setting, by county. [18699/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1019. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made by the HSE national clinical programme for assessing and managing patients who have a co-morbid mental illness and substance misuse issues dual diagnosis; if a comprehensive model of care has been developed; and the way in which the model of care has been introduced to those that need it. [18700/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1020. To ask the Minister for Health if he will confirm that a meeting with mental health groups in County Tipperary will take place in August 2020, as previously committed to; and if contact has been made with those organisations since the Minister of State paid a visit to Clonmel earlier this month. [18701/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am happy to inform the Deputy that I have agreed to meet a number of mental health groups in Tipperary in August. My office recently received a formal request in this regard, and is awaiting a response from the requester so that a date, location and other relevant details can be agreed.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1021. To ask the Minister for Health the data that supports claims that a unit (details supplied) would not be up to specification to feature as an acute psychiatric unit; if a cost analysis has been carried out to determine the amount it would cost to bring it up to standard for such use; and if not, if a cost analysis for this purpose could be undertaken. [18702/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1022. To ask the Minister for Health his views on working with non-governmental organisations to complement the provision of public mental health services; his views on funding organisations that currently deliver integrated services for persons with dual diagnosis; if he will meet with those providing these services on a voluntary basis in County Tipperary. [18703/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Sharing the Vision - A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, stipulates that individuals with co-existing mental health difficulties and addiction to either alcohol or drugs should not be prevented from accessing mental health services. Consequently, it will not be necessary to establish whether a mental health difficulty is ‘primary’ for an individual to access the support of a mental health team. A shared case management approach may be required for particularly complex patients.

On this basis, the policy recommends that a tiered model of integrated service provision for individuals with a dual diagnosis (e.g. substance misuse with mental illness) be developed to ensure that pathways to care are clear.

With regards to service provision by NGOs, the policy recognises that the voluntary and community sector organisations are key partners in the design and development of HSE mental health services at national and local level, as well as referral partners for primary mental healthcare. Their services extend to therapeutic and other recovery supports for individuals and families, carers and supporters and can, therefore, help to reduce the use of inappropriate referrals to specialist mental health services.

The policy recommends that where Voluntary and Community sector organisations are providing services aligned to the outcomes in this policy, operational governance and funding models should be secure and sustainable. In addition, the policy also contains recommendations to ensure more integrated linkages between HSE mental health services and the Voluntary and Community sector.

I have agreed to meet a number of mental health groups in Tipperary in August. The details of this are being finalised between my Office and relevant local representatives.