Mental Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Questions (1200, 1213, 1225, 1240, 1248, 1274, 1318)

Dan Neville

Question:

1200. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the service plan for the delivery of in-patient mental health services of the Health Service Executive for 2013 [16575/13]

Clare Daly

Question:

1213. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the 891 staff promised for community mental health services are delivered as a matter of urgency [16654/13]

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

1225. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on mental health services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16677/13]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

1240. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that the €35 million ring-fenced this year for mental health services will be used specifically for the provision of mental health services and to appoint new staff in the sector; and the progress that has been made to date. [16781/13]

Tom Fleming

Question:

1248. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will honour the commitment to appoint 891 new staff for community mental health services in 2013 and ensure that the €35 million is fully utilised in the development of more comprehensive, modern community services and ensure that last year's delays are not repeated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16841/13]

Brendan Griffin

Question:

1274. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health when the 891 staff promised for community mental health services will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17024/13]

Peter Mathews

Question:

1318. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint new staff for community mental health services this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17432/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1200, 1213, 1225, 1240, 1248, 1274 and 1318 together.

Following on from the special allocation of €35 million for mental health in Budget 2012, a further €35 million was provided in Budget 2013 for the continued development of our mental health services. The HSE National Service Plan 2013 commits to a number of objectives including the further development of forensic services and community mental health teams for adults, children and older persons and for mental health intellectual disability, and to the recruitment of 477 additional staff to implement these measures. In order to ensure that the additional resources will be used to best effect, the HSE, in consultation with the Department of Health, is working towards finalising the allocation of these resources.  Business cases from each HSE Region are being finalised and examined, against each of the identified objectives, detailing how the funding is to be spent and the type and number of WTE to be recruited.  It is expected that this process will be concluded in the very near future with a view to recruitment of the additional staff proceeding as soon as possible.

384 of the 414 posts approved in 2012 have either been filled, are under offer or awaiting clearance. I have been assured by the HSE that the recruitment process for the new posts being funded in 2013 and any outstanding posts from the 414 approved in 2012 is being given priority within the HSE.