Taoiseach and Minister for Health and Children announce the Office for Disability and Mental Health and the Office for Older People.
The Government today, (Wednesday, 30th January, 2007) formally announced the establishment of two new Offices to support Dr Jimmy Devins TD, Minister for Disability and Mental Health and Máire Hoctor TD, Minister for Older People.
Speaking at the launch of the new Offices, the Taoiseach said “In developing the current Social Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016, a lifecycle approach was adopted which places the person at the centre of social policy development.”
“The social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, outlines our vision for people with disabilities, mental health and older people. This Government will work with the social partners to achieve continued improvements in the quality of life of people with disabilities, mental health and older people. The establishment of the Office for Disability and Mental Health and the Office for Older People is another step in
that process. The ultimate aim is to provide people with a disability mental health and older people an opportunity to live a full life and to participate in society.”
The arrangements to be put in place for disability and mental health and older people will be similar to those operating in the case of the Office of the Minister for Children. The overall vision is to put in place structures which will provide for a greater cohesion than currently exists in supporting disability, mental health and older
people structures across the public service.
The Office for Disability and Mental Health and the Office for Older People will have vital roles in progressing the Government’s agenda for people with a disability and mental health and for older people. The various Government Departments will be expected to work very closely with the new Offices on all relevant issues to ensure maximum return from this whole of Government approach.
