225 Deputy James McDaid asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of Mental Health Tribunals that have been held since the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001; the cost of these tribunals since the implementation of the Mental Health Act 2001; and if there is separate funding to cover the cost of these tribunals, or if these costs are taken from the overall budget allocated to mental health. [6227/08]

The following table sets out the number and cost of mental health tribunal hearings which have taken place since the commencement of Part 2 of the Mental Health Act 2001 on 1st November 2006, to the 31st December 2007:

The above figures do not include a number of outstanding attendance fees which have yet to be submitted by mental health tribunal panel members to the Mental Health Commission or the overheads associated with the administration of the mental health tribunals by the Commission. The costs of the tribunals are met from the budget of the Mental Health Commission. Funding for the Commission is provided from Vote 39 of the Office of the Minister for Health and Children.