Nuala Fennell
Question:98 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to issue regulations under the Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981, to bring it into force; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981.
I have no plans to issue regulations under the Health (Mental Services) Act, 1981, to bring the provisions of the Act into force.
The provisions of the Act do not reflect the fundamental shift in the delivery of psychiatric services from institutional to community orientated care which has been under way following the publication of the report Planning for the Future in 1984. The central recommendation of the report is the provision of care for the mentally ill within their own communities as far as possible and this aim along with the other recommendations of the report have been adopted by successive Governments as policy for the future development of psychiatric services.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department are currently engaged in a review of mental health legislation and are preparing a discussion document on new mental health legislation.