Mental Health Services Funding

Tuesday, 16 October 2018

Questions (413)

Pat Buckley

Question:

413. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his priorities or preliminary plans for the allocation of additional funding for mental health services in 2019. [42025/18]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Budget 2019 allocated an additional €84 million to mental health services, bringing the Mental Health budget to almost €1 billion, an increase of 40% on 2012. €35 million is apportioned for new developments, while €20 million is for the further growth of projects commenced in 2018.

Priorities for 2019 include the development of digital mental health interventions and the enhancement of primary care mental health services.

New developments will be progressed in the context of both the overall HSE Service Plan 2019, and the more detailed regional Operational Plan for Mental Health. These will be published by the HSE in the near future.