The Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, this week announced the publication of the Mental Health Bill 2024 which was approved by Government on 24th July.
The development of the new Mental Health Bill, which will replace the existing Mental Health Acts 2001 – 2022, is a longstanding priority of the Department of Health and features in the current Programme for Government.
“The publication of the Bill is an important milestone, and I am happy to deliver on my commitment to ready the Bill for the next steps in the legislative process. The Bill will be ready for introduction to the Oireachtas as soon as possible on the return of the Dáil in September,” Minister Butler said.
The bill was lauded by the Minister as a ‘more modern, person-centred approach’ to mental health legislation which will put in place more robust frameworks in which mental health services will be delivered and regulated. Regulation of community mental health services, including CAMHS, are also introduced for the first time in the new Bill.
“The Bill contains numerous important measures, which will have a tangible beneficial impact on individuals accessing mental health services, empowering them to play a more active role in making decisions about their care and treatment.
“The Bill is lengthy and complex, containing 202 sections, and I look forward to guiding it through the legislative process and to bringing it to Committee Stage in the Autumn,” Minister Butler said.
The Bill was subject to extensive consultation during the current drafting process and prior to the publication of the General Scheme in July 2021, including ongoing consultation with the Mental Health Commission, the Health Service Executive (HSE), and other Government Departments and stakeholders.
