Mental Health Services.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 December 2007

Wednesday, 19 December 2007

Questions (147, 148)

David Stanton

Question:

190 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if the target of creating 100 new mental health places per annum in mental health day centres, day hospitals and community residential facilities for the duration of the multi-annual investment programme 2006 to 2009, as outlined in her Department’s sectoral plan was met in 2006 and 2007 respectively; if so, the locations where these places were created; if not, the number of new mental health places created in each of these years respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35888/07]

David Stanton

Question:

192 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health and Children if all the service developments planned under the Mental Health Service Developments in 2006, as laid out in her Department’s sectoral plan were carried out; the service developments which were not carried out; if the budget allocation for 2006 was expended; the amount made available for these services in 2007 and amount expended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35890/07]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Deputy Jimmy Devins)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 192 together.

In 2006, additional revenue funding of €26.2m was made available to the Health Service Executive to develop services in line with the recommendations of "A Vision for Change". This included funding of €7.5m as part of the Government's multi-annual investment programme, for the provision of additional community based mental health facilities, including mental health day centres, day hospitals and community residential facilities.

A further sum of €25 million, including €8.25 from the multi-annual investment programme, was allocated in 2007 to continue this development.

The Deputy's questions relate to the management and delivery of health and personal social services which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 191 answered with QuestionNo. 189.

Question No. 192 answered with QuestionNo. 190.