Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 April 2011
387 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children his plans to ensure there is effective accountability and transparency in the planning and financing of A Vision for Change. [6503/11]
View answer390 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children with regard to the commitment in the programme for Government to establish a cross-departmental group on mental health; the remit of this group; the Departments that will be included; the frequency with which it will meet; and if it will report publicly on its work. [6506/11]
View answer391 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if the €35 million promised in the programme for Government to be ring-fenced for the development of community mental health teams is new money or to be sourced from within the existing mental health budget and the arrangements that will be put in place to ensure this money will be spent as promised. [6507/11]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 387, 390 and 391 together.
The Programme for Government makes a number of commitments in relation to mental health and I am currently engaged in discussions with my officials with a view to delivering progress as early as possible.
388 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date to review the Mental Health Act 2001; if the terms of reference for the review have been drafted and will be made public; and the plans that are in place to consult with stakeholders. [6504/11]
View answer389 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the forthcoming review of the Mental Health Act 2001, he still intends to consider further provisions in relation to community based mental health services. [6505/11]
View answerI propose to take Question Nos. 388 and 389 together.
The Government is committed to a review of the Mental Health Act 2001, which will be informed by human rights standards. My officials have begun to scope out the review and draft terms of reference will be submitted to me as early as possible; it is likely that a small working group will be appointed to oversee the review of the Act. My officials are currently engaged in discussions with the Health Research Board in relation to the availability of international evidence on a human right based approach to mental health legislation and in relation to the efficacy of community treatment orders. I can assure the Deputy that a wide ranging public consultation will be undertaken where we will seek the views of the public and relevant interested groups/parties. The open consultation will of course be advertised in the Press.
