Mental Health Services Funding

Thursday, 26 September 2019

Questions (147)

James Browne

Question:

147. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health when mental health development funding for 2019 was released to the HSE; the breakdown on the allocation of this funding within the HSE; if part of this funding has been allocated to areas outside of mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39203/19]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Budget 2019 made allowance for an additional €55 million for Mental Health Services to build on existing services. This is made up of the €20m continuing cost in 2019 of developments initiated in 2018, combined with €35m for further new developments. Since 2012, the Mental Health HSE Budget has been increased by almost 40% to nearly €1 billion.

To date, the HSE has drawn down €30 million of the foregoing funding, and an application for a further €13 million is currently being processed. None of this funding has been allocated to areas outside mental health.

I am referring the remainder of your question, regarding the breakdown of the allocation, to the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as it is a service matter.