Michael Colreavy
Ceist:45. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Health the current position regarding the review of the Mental Health Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41002/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 27 September 2012
Ceisteanna (45)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government and I attach great importance to the review of the Mental Health Act 2001 which is underlined by a commitment contained in the Programme for Government to review the Act, "informed by human rights standards and in consultation with service users, carers and other stakeholders".
In June 2011, my colleague with responsibility for Mental Health Services, Minister Kathleen Lynch established a Steering Group to oversee the first part of the review which included undertaking a public consultation exercise and identifying the key areas of the Act to be further examined. The Interim Report of the Steering Group on the Review of the Mental Health Act 2001 was published on 21 June 2012 and is available on my Department's website.
In August this year, Minister Lynch announced the membership of an Expert Group to carry out the second and substantive phase of the review which is principally tasked with fleshing out the Steering Group recommendations. The Group is comprised of 15 people in total and includes expertise from a range of professionals and nominations from key stakeholder organisations.
The Expert Group held its first meeting on the 18th September, 2012 and is expected to produce its report by the end of March, 2013.