Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 October 2017
345. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the amount the €35 million in additional funding for mental health announced in budget 2017 that was spent in the 2017 period; the amount that was included in the expenditure figure for 2017; the amount that was carried over into the budget 2018 figures announced recently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43700/17]
View answerThe HSE Mental Health Services Division expect to spend its full allocation of €853 million in 2017. Budget 2017 made allowance for an additional €35 million for services to be initiated in 2017 and continued in 2018. Recognising the time-frame required to initiate new developments, €15 million was provided as part of the overall 2017 Budget. This was in part due to the time lag of new staff taking up posts and the completion of preparations for the introduction and enhancement of key priorities as specified in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan.
Budget 2018 announced €35 million to further develop mental health services in 2018 and the Minister for Health has also committed an additional €55 million in funding for 2019. The €35 million increase is made up of the €20 million continuing cost in 2018 of developments initiated in 2017, combined with a further €15 million for further new developments.
