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Mental Health Services Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 November 2013

Wednesday, 13 November 2013

Questions (14)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

14. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the underspend in the mental health services budget this year, which was specifically identified as ring-fenced funding; and the way commitments to increase staffing levels in mental health services can be fulfilled in view of the ongoing constraints in the Health Service Executive’s overall budget. [47945/13]

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Written answers

An additional €35m was allocated in Budget 2013 for the continued development of our mental health services across a range of headings, including the further development of forensic services and community mental health teams for adults, children, older persons and mental health intellectual disability. 477 posts have been approved to implement these measures.

As at 30th September 255 posts (54%) were in the final stages of recruitment, and a further 149 (31%) were at earlier stages indicating that 85% of the posts are in the recruitment process with the balance in the HR approvals process.

There are a number of posts for which there are difficulties in identifying suitable candidates due to factors including availability of qualified candidates and geographic location. The HSE's National Recruitment Service is currently working to ensure that the remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible, from existing panels or through competition in the absence of panels, at the earliest opportunity. Options to enable more local recruitment are also being considered where this will assist in filling specific posts. I have received assurances from the HSE that the recruitment process for these new posts is being given priority within the HSE.

In relation to expenditure against the 2013 allocation of €35 million and associated 477 posts, the HSE is currently validating the position regarding the new posts filled at the end of October and will then be in a position to estimate the spend once that data is available. I will provide this information to the Deputy when it becomes available.

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