Mental Health Commission welcomes passing of modern, reforming Mental Health Bill
Mental Health Commission welcomes passing of modern, reforming Mental Health Bill
New Act will see MHC regulate community services, including CAMHS
The MHC welcomes the passing of the Mental Health Bill 2024 by both houses of the Oireachtas today, Wednesday, 29 April. Once the Bill has been formally signed into law by President Catherine Connolly – thus becoming the Mental Health Act 2026 – it will represent the first significant change to Irish mental health laws in more than quarter of a century.
The new Act, which will replace the Mental Health Act 2001, will see the expansion of the regulatory function of the MHC to include all community mental health residences and services, including all community CAMHS.
The Chairperson of the MHC, Dr John Hillery, said that the new Act was a hugely positive step forward in the modernisation of Irish mental health services, and he gave due credit to the work over recent years by the Government and officials in the Department of Health, led by the Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler.
“I am delighted that this new Act has now been passed by both houses of the Oireachtas,” said Dr Hillery. “Over the past number of years, the MHC has worked with the Minister and her officials to progress an evidenced-based, person-centred and rights-based law. It is our view that this person-centred approach, which has been incorporated into the Act, will immeasurably benefit mental health services and its users for many years to come.”
The Chief Executive of the MHC, John Farrelly, said: “By expanding the regulatory function of the Mental Health Commission to include all community mental health residences and services, including all community CAMHS, the new Act has further protected the rights of people with mental health difficulties.
“Ultimately, the purpose of this step change from the regulation of just one section of our services - approved inpatient services - to a whole-system regulatory approach is to allow for a more proactive oversight of the system on a national basis, and better outcomes for all.
“Both Ministers Butler and Carroll MacNeill, and their teams, deserve our recognition and appreciation for advancing modern and progressive legislation that will enhance the voice of patients and create more safeguards for service users.
“We welcome our enhanced regulatory powers and increased oversight of Ireland’s mental health system, and look forward to working with Minister Butler and the Department of Health to ensure a balanced, timely and proportionate roll-out of our new functions.”
