Lacken Road Kilkenny

Telephone 353 56 7784100

1st November 2016

Mr. Mick Wallace T.D. Dail Eireann Leinster House Dublin 2

PQ 30622/16

To ask the Minister for Health the details of the funding which is to be allocated to the Peer Support worker positions in CHO Area 5; if these jobs, which are to be based in counties Carlow, Kilkenny and South Tipperary will also be covering counties and Waterford, in view of the fact that they are part of CHO Area 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Dear Deputy Wallace,

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been requested to reply directly to you in the context of the above Parliamentary Question, which was submitted to the Minister for Health for response.

I have examined the matter and the following outlines the current position.

The 2016 National Mental Health Division’s Operational Plan outlines the objective to introduce Peer Support Workers in Mental Health Services (MHS).

The Peer Support Worker role will use their expertise gained through lived experience to promote recovery, share information to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for connection with local communities. In addition to working with other mental health multidisciplinary professionals, it is envisaged that the Peer Support Worker will work alongside an agreed number of service users on a one to one and/or group basis.

Following a national competitive process for all HSE Mental Health Service areas, an initial funding allocation to develop the national Peer Support Initiative was allocated as part of a pilot initiative to a small number of Multidisciplinary Teams in Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary area.

The pilot sites will be evaluated after a defined period of time - following same, it is anticipated that the Peer Support Worker will be developed (subject to additional resources) as a CHO5 service initiative across the extended catchment area.

Should you require any further information in relation to same, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely,

______Liz Kinsella Head of Service - Mental Health Community Healthcare Organisation - Area 5 (South East)