Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
360. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the budget and delivery for mental health services in 2017; if all mental health budgets provided for in 2015 and 2016 were spent; his plans for this budget in 2018 in view of ongoing concerns regarding the lack of resources for this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30961/17]
View answerThe overall gross non-capital mental health budget for 2017 is €853.1 million. Budget 2017 made allowance for an additional €35 million for services to be initiated in 2017. Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to child & adolescent (CAMHS) and adult services, older people's services and further enhanced out-of-hours response for those in need of urgent services. Recognising the time lag in new staff taking up posts and the completion of preparations for the introduction of these services, it is estimated that the revenue spend in 2017 associated with this increased allocation will be some €15 million. There will also be a further additional spend of €9.5 million in mental health associated with increased pay rates, bringing the total budget to over €850 million.
The Mental Health Budgets for 2015 and 2016 were €791.8 million and €826.6 million respectively. According to the HSE’s Mental Health Division’s Operational Plan 2017, €787.28 million was spent in 2015, while in 2016, a provisional amount of €824.7 million was spent.
Key priorities being addressed in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan will continue to be prioritised in 2018.
