335 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children the action being taken to fully implement the Mental Health Act 2001; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12779/07]

The full provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001 have been in operation since 1 November 2006. The Act significantly improves safeguards for persons who are involuntarily admitted to approved centres. All involuntary admissions are now subject to an automatic and independent review by a mental health tribunal. Since November 2006, over 500 mental health tribunals have been held to review involuntary admission or renewal orders.

336 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that additional funding will be made available for the further development of mental health services in the Tallaght region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12780/07]

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004 and funding for all health services has been provided as part of its overall vote. The Executive, therefore, is the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.