Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1443. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the specific and short-term measures he plans in order to address deficiencies in the mental health services including child mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33788/20]
View answerThe development of all aspects of mental health services, including those for children and young people, remains a priority for Government. This is reflected in the current Programme for Government, the new policy Sharing the Vision - A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, and the significant additional funding given to HSE Mental Health services in Budget 2021.
I secured, in the recent Budget, an additional €50 million for Mental Health Services, thus bringing the total provision next year to €1.076 billion. In relation to the €50 million, €23 million has been allocated to commence the implementation of many of the short-term recommendations of Sharing the Vision in 2021. This will fund additional beds and the enhancement of mental health teams including in Child and Adolescent Mental Health services, Adult Crisis Resolution Teams; expansion of specialist Clinical and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy programmes; Peer Support and Bereavement Coordinators, and the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment approach.
In addition to the above, €15 million will assist with evolving challenges arising from Covid-19. In this context, the number of step-down beds will be increased and extra resources will be provided for community mental health teams. Reconfiguration of mental health facilities, in line with Mental Health Commission recommendations and the enhancement of digital mental health supports will also take place.
The remaining €12 million, of the additional €50 million, will help address existing level of service costs, including placements for those individuals whose needs cannot, for various reasons, be met within the public mental health system.
Sharing the Vision promotes equitable access to quality, safe mental health care for all citizens. Service users and their families, carers and supporters will have more timely access to evidence-informed mental health services. Tailored measures will be put in place to ensure that individuals with complex mental health difficulties can avail of services across the State, without discrimination. This builds on the intent of A Vision for Change and Sláintecare. Sharing the Vision is expected to be implemented over a ten-year period, with associated timeframes in respect of individual recommendations detailed in the policy.
My priorities now are to ensure that the new National Implementation and Monitoring Committee (NIMC), envisaged under Sharing the Vision , commences its work as quickly as possible, and that the additional funding for mental health in Budget 2021 is progressed in the context of finalising the HSE Service Plan for next year, thus facilitating continued improvement across our mental health services.
