Legislative Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 January 2023

Tuesday, 31 January 2023

Questions (677)

Mark Ward

Question:

677. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the date that he will bring the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill 2023 to Cabinet for approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4228/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Mental Health Act was published in July 2021.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health’s Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Report on the General Scheme was published on 12 October 2022. Following publication, Department officials have been considering the report and its recommendations.

Priority drafting for the Mental Health Bill was sought and granted for the Spring legislative session and the Department is working with the Attorney General’s Office and the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to progress the draft Bill, with the aim of introducing to the Oireachtas as early as possible in 2023.