Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 7

Written Answers. - Psychiatric Services.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

163 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that the development of community psychiatric services in all health board regions has been given priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13203/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The policy document Planning for the Future published in 1984 has been accepted by successive Governments as the blueprint for the development of mental health services. A key recommendation of that document is that a community-based mental health service be developed to replace the traditional model of care which relied predominantly on in-patient treatment in psychiatric hospitals.

Substantial progress has been and continues to be made in implementing this policy and in ensuring that those in need of mental health services receive care and treatment in the most appropriate setting. Health boards have developed and are continuing to develop a modern, comprehensive community-based mental health service. This has resulted in a continuing decline in the number of in-patients with a corresponding increase in the provision of a range of care facilities based in the community to complement in-patient services. I am satisfied that health boards continue to give priority to the development of community facilities for the mentally ill and I am confident that further improvements will be achieved in the coming years.