This is the first report from the Mental Health Commission on the activity of community mental health services in Ireland. Information on the profile of deprivation in mental health catchment areas both in tabular and map form is also included in this report. The provision of this information builds on the detailed profile of catchment areas provided in the Annual Report of the Mental Health Commission for 2004 (published in 2005). Information is one of the key tools of the Mental Health Commission. In order to progress the quality mandate under the Mental Health Act, 2001, and to carry out the various functions of the Commission under the Act, particularly in relation to the inspection of approved centres and other mental health services, comprehensive, timely and accurate mental health information is required on many different aspects of Irish mental health services. This mental health information is used to ensure that high quality mental health services are accessible in an equitable fashion, to all those who require them, right across the country. The Mental Health Commission places a high value on data and on the information derived from that data.