Pat Buckley
Question:414. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the amount which will be allocated to new mental health services in 2019; and the breakdown of the figure for current and capital expenditure. [42026/18]
View answerTuesday, 16 October 2018
Questions (414)
Written answers
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. 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.
The National Development Plan published earlier this year outlines capital funding for the Health sector for the five years to 2022. A capital plan will be developed by the HSE for each year of the NDP having regard to the total funding available and the capital priorities for the public health sector. Health capital projects and programmes currently underway will require the bulk of the notified capital allocation next year, including the development of the National Forensic Mental Health Services Hospital at Portrane. Work is also expected to commence shortly on the new Mental Health Unit at Sligo University Hospital.