Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:194. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will comment on the need to regulate CAMHS and if that need has been costed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4649/24]
View answerWednesday, 31 January 2024
Questions (194)
Written answers
Under the Mental Health Act 2001, the Mental Health Commission is required to register, inspect and regulate all approved centres, including CAMHS approved centres across the country, with inspections taking place at least once a year.
The Government recognises the importance of ensuring all mental health services, both inpatient and community, and both adult and child and adolescent, are fully registered, regulated and inspected by the Mental Health Commission in its role as the independent regulator of mental health services.
Regulation of community mental health services is a key element of the Mental Health Bill, with the new Bill ensuring that the expanded regulatory remit of the Mental Health Commission has an appropriate legal underpinning.
Drafting of the Mental Health Bill is currently being progressed by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, generally in line with the published General Scheme. The Bill received priority drafting in all three legislative sessions in 2023, and priority drafting was granted once again for the current legislative session. Officials in my Department and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel are working intensively to finalise this lengthy, complex Bill as quickly as possible within the coming months.
The publication of the Mental Health Bill remains a priority for me and for the Government and I look forward to introducing the Bill to the Oireachtas as soon as possible after publication. Following publication of the Bill, the regulation of community residents and services, including CAMH services, will be introduced on a phased basis.
The majority of the proposed changes in the Bill are expected to be funded within existing resources, but the regulation of community mental health services will carry an additional cost. Officials in my Department are in discussions with the Mental Health Commission and the HSE to ascertain estimated costs arising from the new Bill and these costs will be detailed ahead of publication of the Bill later this year.