Written answer
Mental Health Services
The MHC inspected residences in 2017-19, thereafter only risk-based; the 2026 Act expands its remit to community services, requiring resources and standards.
3929. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health whether the Mental Health Commission has inspected, monitored or otherwise reviewed any residences providing 24-hour staff support or supervision for people using mental-health services since the publication of its 2018 report, Community Mental Health Services and Supports; if so, the residences or services reviewed, the dates of those reviews and any reports or recommendations arising; if such residences do not fall within the Commission's statutory inspection remit, the body responsible for their independent regulation, inspection and enforcement of standards; whether all such residences are currently subject to routine independent inspection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58209/26]
Comment on this
The Mental Health Commission (MHC) completed the inspections of all HSE 24-hour supervised community residences in their three-year inspection cycle from 2017 – 2019. From 2020 on, inspections of 24-hour residences were risk-based and carried out upon receipt of unsolicited information. Community Mental-Health Residences do not fall within the regulatory remit of the MHC under the 2001 Act. As such, the MHC does not have powers in relation to registration, escalation or enforcement and is not resourced to monitor these centres.
The Mental Health Act 2026 grants new powers to the MHC to regulate all community mental health services, including community child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The regulation of all community mental health services has been a key priority of mine since I took office and I am keen to see the regulation of these services commenced as quickly as possible. Additional resources will be required to ensure that HSE services being regulated for the first time can meet the statutory requirements of the Mental Health Act and any Regulations made thereunder. Resources will also be required to expand the number of Inspectors working in the MHC to inspect the new range of services. As part of preparations for the development of regulations for community mental health services, the MHC is advancing National Standards for Community Mental Health Centres.