Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.

John Gormley

Question:

320 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that 7% of the health budget allocated to mental health is consistent with the World Health Organisation's insistence that, at the very least, parity between mental health services and other health services should be ensured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3778/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley):

Substantial progress has been made in recent years in ensuring that those in need of mental health services receive care and treatment in the most appropriate setting. That progress is acknowledged in the Amnesty International report published yesterday. However, much remains to be done. I am committed to the provision of quality care in the area of mental health and I will be endeavouring to secure additional funding for this sector in the coming years.

While the Deputy is correct in stating that funding allocated to mental health amounts to 7% of the total health budget at present, he has failed to acknowledge the real progress that has been made in recent years. In the period 1999-02 an additional €70.7 million was invested in the mental health services. In the current year, additional revenue funding of €7.6 million will be provided for ongoing developments in mental health services, to develop and expand community mental health services, to increase child and adolescent services, to expand the old age psychiatry services, to provide liaison psychiatry services in general hospitals and to enhance the support provided to voluntary agencies.

Approximately €190 million in capital is being provided over the lifetime of the national development plan to fund the development of acute psychiatric units linked to general hospitals, as a replacement of services previously provided in psychiatric hospitals. Substantial progress has already been made.

There are now 18 general hospital psychiatric units operational, a further three units will become available to their mental health services in the near future, two are under construction and several others are at various stages of planning. In relation to community residences, there are approximately 400 community psychiatric residences in the country providing over 3,000 places. This compares to 111 residences, providing less than 1,000 places in 1984. In relation to day hospitals-day centres, there are approximately 200 providing over 3,500 places. This compares with 39 such centres providing approximately 1,200 places in 1984.

The new Mental Health Commission, established in April of last year under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001 has an important role to play in improving the quality of our mental health services. The primary functions of the commission are to promote and foster high standards and good practices in the delivery of mental health services and to ensure that the interests of detained persons are protected. The Mental Health Commission is now working with officials from my Department to put in place the structures required for its new role. The commission will appoint an inspector of mental health services later this year. The inspector will be required to visit and inspect all approved centres at least once a year. The inspector's annual report and review of the mental health services will be published and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas along with the commission's annual report.

The health strategy Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You includes a commitment to prepare a new national policy framework for the further modernisation of mental health services, updating the 1984 policy document Planning for the Future and taking account of significant initiatives and policy developments which have occurred in the interim. Work on this new policy framework is expected to begin later this year.