Madam, - I wish to respond to the letter from Mr Robert Grandon (April 20th) with regard to mental health services in Ireland.
Madam, - I wish to respond to the letter from Mr Robert Grandon (April 20th) with regard to mental health services in Ireland.
The Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, which I established in 2003, is preparing a new national policy framework for the mental health services, updating the 1984 policy document "Planning for the Future". The group will examine all aspects of our mental health services. The group requested submissions from interested organisations, individuals and the general public in October 2003 and 150 were received. These are now being considered by the group and further consultation initiatives with various stakeholders, including users of the mental health services are now being undertaken. I expect the group to complete its work in 2005.
In regard to the sale of lands which currently are part of the Mental Health Programme, the Department of Health and Children has contacted the ERHA and health boards and indicated that funds from sale of lands which are attached to specific programmes should be retained in those programmes.
This will be of considerable advantage to the Mental Health Programme and the Department of Health and Children will be pursuing the matter generally with the health boards and the ERHA. - Yours, etc.,
TIM O'MALLEY, TD,
Minister of State,
Department of Health and Children,
Dublin 2.