The State's watchdog on mental health services has expressed disappointment and frustration that the Government's official policy on developing the sector has not been implemented despite its launch two years ago.
The Mental Health Commission was one of a number of groups that used the second anniversary of A Vision for Change to accuse health authorities of inaction and diverting funds for mental health into other parts of the health sector.
Dr Edmond O'Dea, chairman of the commission, said: "It is now two years since that announcement and we have still not seen any signs that the Health Service Executive is implementing what is official Government policy."
He said the first step in the plan was to reorganise and restructure mental health services. However, this had not happened. Dr O'Dea added the HSE's national service plan for this year did not specify any targets in relation to A Vision for Change.
The Mental Health Commission remained concerned that many of the resources that were intended for mental health service improvement had been "diluted" to other uses within the HSE.
A spokesman for the HSE last night said a major programme for the valuation and sale of mental health facilities was under way, with a view to selling properties in the next two years.
"All revenue raised from these sales will be directed towards improving mental health services," the spokesman said.
The HSE also insisted that additional funding of €26 million was provided in 2006 and a further €25 million was provided in 2007 as part of its multi-annual investment programme.
This was rejected by the Irish Mental Health Coalition, a coalition of voluntary organisations.
It said that a Freedom of Information request it obtained revealed that €27 million earmarked for spending in 2006 and 2007 was never used. The Vision for Change strategy commits the Government to spending €25 million extra each year on mental health services.
The coalition also revealed that the Department of Health and Children has suspended the 2008 funding, apparently as a result of the HSE's lack of accountability in the area.
John Saunders, chair of the coalition, said the situation was unacceptable and the plan was already floundering due to a lack of Government commitment.
"Two years later, mental health service users and providers are still struggling with an outdated, fragmented and severely underresourced system. We still haven't even seen an implementation plan emerge," he said.
The Irish Psychiatric Association also accused health authorities of "asset-stripping" by selling land and buildings in the mental health service and reinvesting the funds in other parts of the health sector.
Group spokesman Dr Justin Brophy said it was clear that other policies in the health sector took precedence over mental health, such as the Government's co-location of private facilities on the lands of public hospitals.
There had been talks over the relocation of the antiquated St Ita's psychiatric hospital to the grounds of Beaumont Hospital for more than 20 years without any progress, he said. In contrast, work on a co-located private hospital on the site is expected to begin in a matter of months.
"It is clear there is a hierarchy of Government policies. And it is clear which is most important," Dr Brophy said.
