Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Regarding the compliance issue, six approved mental health centres achieved full compliance with all the regulatory requirements in 2015. While what Deputy Adams says is true that other centres were non-compliant to varying degrees, I am advised that, given the nature of the requirements where centres were non-compliant, the potential for full compliance is strong. Certainly, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, has urged the maximum effort on the part of all of those non-compliant centres to meet the requirements. It is important that we have such inspection and that there is a continuous monitoring of the implementation of the inspectorate regime.

Regarding Deputy Adams's point about North-South co-operation, when I was the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I was involved in North-South meetings and the topic of mental health was discussed and various North-South initiatives were considered. I agree with Deputy Adams that collaboration and best practice models need to be exchanged, North-South. I believe that has happened. Perhaps it could happen more but that certainly was on the agenda at some of the meetings I attended.

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