Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 June 2010
74 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children the percentage of the health budget allocated and spent on mental health for the years 2008, 2009, and to date in 2010; the way that compares with international figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24177/10]
View answerFollowing is the information requested by the Deputy in tabular form.
|
Year |
2008 |
2009 |
2010* |
|
€M |
€M |
€M |
|
|
Mental Health Funding |
1,043.816 |
1,006.682 |
976.964 |
|
Gross Non- Capital Health Expenditure |
14,352.642 |
14,698.354 |
14,583.431 |
|
Mental Health Funding as a percentage of Gross Health Expenditure |
7.27% |
6.85% |
6.70% |
*Denotes Estimate.
Source: Revised Estimates for Public Services.
The figures contained in the table only reflect expenditure on specialist mental health services. Approximately 90% of public mental health services are provided at primary care level. Expenditure on these services is not captured in the table. Cross-national comparisons of funding are unreliable, as not all countries calculate mental health expenditure in the same way. While the percentage of total health funding spent on mental health is of interest, the principles of efficiency and effectiveness are also important and must apply in relation to the funding allocated to mental health services.
75 Deputy Christy O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on a recent report supplied to her Department by Amnesty International Ireland; her further views on the reports recommendations for a performance assessment framework in respect of mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24183/10]
View answerI welcome the publication of Amnesty International Ireland's Report, Accountability in the Delivery of A Vision for Change. I regret however that my Department did not get the opportunity to input to the Report, which would I believe, have added considerable value to the project and to the knowledge of the Report’s authors in relation to mental health service issues.
My Department works on an ongoing collaborative basis with the HSE to further develop and refine performance measures across all service areas, including mental health, to ensure that they are as robust and meaningful as possible and reflect key priorities and international best practice as well as being comparable both within the EU and further afield.
