Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 September 2016
176. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of calls to date in 2016 and in each of the five previous years where gardaí in County Louth have responded to assist and detain people for their own safety and wellbeing under the Mental Health Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27664/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mental Health Commission collates a wide range of information associated with the operation of the Mental Health Act 2001.
For example, information is routinely gathered in relation to persons who are detained under the 2001 Act and such information is provided in each of the Commission’s annual reports since 2007. One set of statistics collected by the Commission relates to the applicant i.e. a spouse, garda, other person etc, for all persons who are detained.
The information contained in the Commission’s annual reports from 2011 to 2015 (latest date for which national figures are available) for the categories of persons who applied for a person to be involuntarily admitted under Section 9 of the Act in 2015, is as follows:
|
Type |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
|||||
|
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
|
|
Spouse Civil Partner Relative |
831 |
47 |
875 |
53 |
900 |
57 |
901 |
57 |
839 |
57 |
|
Authorised Officer |
231 |
13 |
204 |
12 |
121 |
8 |
127 |
8 |
116 |
8 |
|
Garda |
404 |
23 |
331 |
20 |
311 |
19 |
336 |
22 |
354 |
24 |
|
Any Other Person |
289 |
17 |
245 |
15 |
259 |
16 |
210 |
13 |
162 |
11 |
|
Total |
1755 |
100 |
1655 |
100 |
1591 |
100 |
1574 |
100 |
1471 |
100 |
It is important to point out that the Commission does not receive any information regarding any application that may be made by a Garda that does not proceed to an admission order.
The specific information with regard to categories of persons who applied for a person to be involuntarily admitted under Section 9 of the Act in County Louth is not readily available but I have asked the Commission to provide this information for the years 2011 to date to the Deputy.
