Funding for mental health services will increase this year, no matter what developments take place during 2016. Funding for mental health in 2016 will increase from the 2015 outturn of €785m, to a projected budget of €826m in the 2016 NSP, an increase of €41m
or 5.2% which includes the €35m ring fenced for mental health. In 2016, it is proposed to advance the NSP 2016 development priorities from additional funding, including:
- continued development of counselling services across both primary and secondary care including the provision of three new Jigsaw mental health services in Cork, Dublin city centre and Limerick;
- the continued development of Community Mental Health teams; improved 24/7 response and Liaison Services; Psychiatry of Later Life;
- Perinatal Mental Health, and two new mental health clinical programmes, specifically ADHD in Adults and Children, and Dual Diagnosis of those with Mental Illness and Substance Misuse.
The Department of Health is currently examining proposals from the HSE relating to the development of these specific enhanced priority services, as well as proposals for the ongoing development of a range of existing and new specialist mental health services. It is expected that a decision on the release of the funding will be made shortly.
In addition to new developments, the HSE is committed to the ongoing development of adult and child & adolescent services. Up to 1,150 posts have already been filled up to end-2015 from the developmental funding provided since 2012, with 270 posts approved for the Child and Adolescent Services.
Staff recruitment is a key element of both existing and new developments. As staff recruitment takes time, however, the Service Plan provides that time-related savings of approximately €12m from this and will be used, on a once-off basis, to maintain services in home care and transitional care beds and for vaccine procurement. As the initiatives planned for mental health and other areas identified in the Service Plan are approved, arrangements will be made for the release of funding, having regard to the overall Service Plan requirements.
In the area of mental health, it has proved challenging for the HSE to recruit to certain specialist, clinical and other posts. A Psychology Eligibility Criteria Review Group was established to conduct and deliver a review of the eligibility criteria currently used by the HSE. The Review Group consists of an Independent Chairperson, HSE Psychology Managers, representatives from the HSE National HR Service and Health Business Services. The Terms of Reference of the Review Group are:
- To review the current recruitment care group delineations and make appropriate recommendations; and
- To review the eligibility requirements for each care group in the context of competencies for the posts and the PSI accreditation guidelines.
It is understood that this group will shortly conclude its work.
With regard to the Deputy's question on recruitment of graduates in specific areas of mental health, I am referring this to the HSE for direct reply as recruitment is a matter for the HSE. If you have not received a response within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
