Update on Progress Made on Mental Health Plan “Vision for Change” to be Reviewed with Minister at Oireachtas Health Committee
19th April 2010
Progress made on the implementation of the recommendations of “A Vision for Change,” the strategy for developing mental health services in Ireland, will be considered with the Minister with responsibility for Mental Health Services, John Moloney TD at tomorrow’s (20th) meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.
The meeting will take place at 3pm in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House.
A Vision for Change was launched in January 2006 and proposes a framework for action to develop modern, high quality mental health services over a seven to ten year period.
One of the central principles of the programme was the sale and closure of older psychiatric facilities in order to move patients into more appropriate accommodation. The proceeds from these sales are scheduled to be ringfenced to fund mental health. It has been indicated that €50 million will be made available in 2010 for this purpose.
Committee Chairman, Sean O’Fearghail TD said;
“A Vision for Change is the most significant initiative to be instigated in the area of mental health in recent decades.
At a time when reports indicate that rising unemployment and the economic downturn have placed additional strain on our mental health facilities we need to be confident that the services in this area are equipped to deal with demand and are progressing to a satisfactory standard.
One of the key aspects of this strategy is the proposal to sell off lands from psychiatric facilities in order to finance the new strategy. We will be interested to learn the latest on these transactions.
The purpose of tomorrow’s meeting is to provide the Minister with an opportunity to explain the current status of A Vision for Change and to allow Committee members to put any concerns or issues they may have to him.”
The Committee can be viewed on line at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
The Irish Observer, Ireland's National Blog, News and Current Affairs site. The Irish Observer has also published three e-Books which are FREE for you to read by clicking the links below.
The IRA History, FREE to READ 12 Chapter e-Book READ NOW
