Lack of rehab means 1,000 people in supervised residential centres cannot move to more independent living

A Vision for Change – a strategy document published in 2006 that set out the direction of mental health services in Ireland - recommended the establishment of 48 rehabilitation teams based on the current population.

Over 1,000 people in highly supervised mental health residential centres cannot move to more independent living because of a severe lack of rehabilitation services, it has emerged.

Chief executive of the Mental Health Commission, John Farrelly, told a meeting of the Oireachtas committee on health he was disappointed at the continued lack of development of mental health rehabilitation services in Ireland.