Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Mental Health Commission was established under the Mental Health Act, 2001. The Commission’s main functions are to promote, encourage and foster high standards and good practices in the delivery of mental health services and to protect the interests of patients who are involuntarily admitted.

Accordingly, the Mental Health Act 2001 states that the Inspector of Mental Health Services shall visit and inspect every approved centre at least once in each year; and visit and inspect any other premises where mental health services are being provided as he or she thinks appropriate.

A General Scheme of a Bill was published in July 2021 and proposed to extend the registration, inspection and regulation regime of the Commission and Inspector to include all community mental health residences and community mental health services.

Drafting of the Mental Health Bill is currently being progressed by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, generally in line with the published General Scheme. The Bill received priority drafting in the spring and summer legislative sessions this year and officials in my Department and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel are working intensively to prepare this lengthy, complex Bill. The publication of the Mental Health Bill is a priority for me and for the Government and I look forward to introducing the Bill to the Oireachtas as soon as possible following publication of the Bill.

The new Bill will overhaul our mental health legislation making it more person-centred and human rights focused and help to put in place a more robust framework in which mental health services can be delivered.