I propose to take Questions Nos. 695 and 696 together.
In line with the recommendations of 'A Vision for Change', a recovery orientation should inform every aspect of service delivery and service users should be partners in their own care. There is a growing recognition that, with a recovery approach, it is possible to live well despite any limitations caused by disability or illness. I have acknowledged previously that there is more to be done in developing a focused recovery orientation for some patients. I also accept that adopting a recovery based approach has not been without its challenges which include reconsidering some fundamental concepts such as what it means to be a service delivery organisation, a professional, a person who uses services or a family member, and how we judge effective treatments. The Recovery approach that we want to see places a unique emphasis on the value of each person and their understanding of their illness and should be seen as natural process which service users believe can put greater choice and control back in their hands.
As acknowledged by the Chairman of the Mental Health Commission in his foreword, the 'Advancing Recovery in Ireland' (ARI) initiative which is a partnership project between the HSE and other bodies is a welcome development. The initiative focuses on service level structures, systems and practices that can maximise personal recovery opportunities and outcomes for service users. It aims to achieve this by facilitating the individual to manage their personal recovery and by the development of recovery focused mental health practice in the service. It recognises the service provider, service user and family as equal stakeholders. Some of the innovations being developed through ARI are Recovery Colleges, Peer Support Working and the Recovery Context inventory Tool. The ARI is an 18 month initiative which is being rolled out on a phased basis to allow maximum benefit, the initial phase of which commenced in May 2013.
The Community Mental Health Team is the first line of acute secondary mental health care provision and their presence allows individuals to be supported in their recovery in their own community. Community Mental Health Teams need to have expertise from all the core disciplines of psychiatry, psychology, social workers, occupational and other therapists as well as mental health nursing. With this in mind, some 1,100 new posts have been funded by a special allocation of €90 million since 2012 primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams for both adults and children and to enhance specialist community services. To date, some 740 of the posts have been filled and the recruitment process for the remaining posts is continuing by the HSE.
The Mental Health Act 2001 is the key piece of legislation regarding the rights of people involuntarily detained and treated in approved centres within our mental health services. The Act is currently under review, and an Expert Group set up by me in September 2012 is currently finalising its deliberations. I expect to receive its report by the third quarter of 2014. Whilst I am not in a position to comment on any recommendations of the Expert Group in advance of the completion of the final report, I would expect that the Group will take into account the importance of recovery when finalising their report.