I propose to take Questions Nos. 821, 822, 837, 910 and 911 together.
A special allocation of €35m for mental health was announced in Budget 2012 in line with the Programme for Government commitments. Details of how this funding will be apportioned are still being worked on in the context of the HSE's draft National Service Plan (NSP) for 2012 which is currently under consideration by the Minister. Final decisions in relation to funding of individual care programmes will become clear when the Minister approves the NSP for 2012 in accordance with the Health Act 2004.
Funding from the special allocation for mental health will be used primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children's mental health services. It is intended that the additional resources will be rolled out in conjunction with a scheme of appropriate clinical care programmes based on an early intervention and a recovery approach. Some of the funding will also be used to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention and response to self-harm presentations and to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care specifically for people with mental health problems. Some provision will also be made to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities, in line with Vision for Change. Mechanisms will be put in place to ensure that the funding is spent only for the purposes for which it is specified in the HSE Service Plan.
Deputies will be aware that the Government has already approved the drafting of legislation to give effect to changes in the governance of the HSE. This involves radical reform of the health service generally which will see the introduction of Universal Health Insurance (UHI). Significantly the new system of governance will involve seven Directorates, including a separate Directorate for Mental Health which will have full responsibility and accountability in that area. In this context, my colleague Minister Reilly intends to bring forward detailed proposals at a later date for the re-organisation of the HSE at directorate, regional and local levels in a manner which facilitates a smooth transition from the current governance arrangements to the proposed new structures.