In line with the commitment given to Mental Health Reform in 2017, €55 million was allocated to HSE mental health services for 2019. This comprised €20 million continuing cost in 2019 of developments initiated in 2018, combined with €35 million for further new developments.
As part of the annual budgetary process the Department of Health holds funding for specific new initiatives set out in the HSE's National Service Plan. This funding is released subject to the receipt, review and approval of detailed implementation plans in relation to each initiative and the commencement of same.
To date, €40.246 million of this funding has been allocated to the HSE, with a further €3 million paid to Pobal for the Community Mental Health Fund.
This funding has enabled the HSE to progress initiatives agreed in the National Service Plan 2019, such as e-mental health programmes and increased funding for psychiatric nurse undergraduate places. In addition, this funding has enabled preparatory work for the forthcoming relocation of the National Forensic Mental Health Service to Portrane.
An amount of €11.754 million remains under consideration in the context of finalising the end-year position for 2019.
Budget 2020 saw the Government continue this commitment to mental health by increasing funding by €39m to €1.026bn. This represents an increase of over €315 million, or 45%, since 2012.
