Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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A Mental Health Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to replace the existing Mental Health Acts 2001 – 2018 and overhaul our approach to mental health legislation. While the Department expects many of the proposed changes in the new Bill to be dealt with generally within existing resources, some of the planned changes are expected to carry additional costs, such as the enhanced role for Authorised Officers in the involuntary admission process and the expansion of the Mental Health Commission’s regulatory remit to include community residences and services.

More broadly, mental health services are moving towards more community-based care for people accessing mental health services, and away from prolonged care in inpatient mental health settings where possible, in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and Sláintecare. Continued investment in mental health services at all levels, including community and inpatient services, will be needed to ensure the continued efficacy and improvement of services and to continue to uphold the rights of people accessing services.

Priority drafting was granted to the Bill for the spring, summer and autumn legislative sessions. Discussions are ongoing between the Department and key stakeholders such as the Mental Health Commission and the HSE to ensure appropriate resources are in place ahead of the commencement of the new legislation.