Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
955. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans for a redress scheme for persons who were forcibly committed by the State prior to the enactment of the Mental Health Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16362/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to introduce a redress scheme along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
The involuntary admission of persons to a psychiatric hospital or unit prior to the introduction of the Mental Health Act 2001 was governed by statute, in this case the 1945 Mental Treatment Act. The 1945 Act specifically allowed for the admission and detention without their consent, of a person as a ‘temporary patient' or a 'person of unsound mind'. Such admissions took place following an application made in this regard and required a medical certificate signed by a doctor and also a reception order signed by a consultant psychiatrist.
The Act also provided patients with the right to contact the Minister for Health, the Inspector of Mental Hospitals or the President of the High Court in relation to their detention. In addition, it also required the Inspector of Mental Hospitals, in the course of his inspections, to visit any patient "the propriety of whose detention he had reason to doubt".
