Mental Health Services Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2017

Thursday, 13 July 2017

Questions (847)

Pat Buckley

Question:

847. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the mental health services receiving funding from the State; and the amount they were allocated in 2016 and 2017, respectively. [34467/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The overall gross non-capital mental health budget for 2017 is €853.1 million, and the Mental Health Budget for 2016 was €826.6 million.

Budget 2017 made allowance for an additional €35 million for services to be initiated in 2017. 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.

With regard to a more detailed breakdown of HSE mental health service funding for the years in question, I have referred this to the HSE for direct reply as this is an operational matter.