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 the specific breakdown by discipline and by region, since recruitment and allocation to posts and specific areas of service is currently underway this question would be more appropriately addressed by the HSE to whom it has been referred for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
