Vol. 566 No. 1
535 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on recent comments by a person (details supplied) who stated that it would be 2004 before the main part of the Mental Health Act 2001 can be commenced and that the full implementation of the Mental Health Act has been delayed for a further year because of inadequate funding. [12306/03]
The main vehicle for the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001 is the Mental Health Commission which was established with effect from 5 April 2002. The detailed work programme of the commission is a matter for the commission to determine in accordance with its statutory functions under the Mental Health Act. However, I understand that one of the priorities for the commission over the next year will be to put in place the structures required for the operation of mental health tribunals. The tribunals, operating under the aegis of the Mental Health Commission, will conduct a review of each decision by a consultant psychiatrist to detain a patient on an involuntary basis or to extend the duration of such detention.
The Mental Health Commission will also appoint an inspector of mental health services, which will replace the existing office of the inspector of mental health hospitals. The inspector will be required to visit and inspect all approved centres at least once a year. The Minister will be empowered to make regulations specifying the standards to be maintained in all approved centres and these will be enforced by the inspector. The inspector's annual report and review of the mental health services will be published along with the commission's report.
The commission has recently advertised the position of inspector of mental health services and three other senior administrative posts. The commission has a budget of €2.24 million for 2003.
