Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1409. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the way the decision was made to spend €1.8 million on electric and hybrid vehicles out of the €10 million of once-off funding announced in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63140/21]
View answer1410. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the details of the €1.8 million to be spent on electric and hybrid vehicles out of the €10 million of once-off funding announced in Budget 2022; the persons these vehicles are for; the purpose of these vehicles; the benefit HSE mental health users will receive from this purchase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63141/21]
View answer1412. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the ways in which the vehicles will be used in relation to the €1.8 million of €10 million once-off funding for mental health that will be spent on a replacement fleet with green or hybrid vehicles in each community healthcare organisation; the vehicles they will be replacing; the previous uses of the vehicles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63153/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1409, 1410 and 1412 together.
Once-off funding of €10m for mental health was announced in Budget Day 2022. My entire focus when allocating this funding was that it would be person-centred, so that the service user would directly benefit from this additional once-off spend.
As part of the allocation of this funding, €200,000 has been provided to each Community Health Organisation for vehicles. These vehicles will support the transport needs of people using mental health services and promote their engagement within the community. This may include, for example, travel to and from medical and other personal appointments, employment and education programmes, day centres, and social activities.
The need to adequately resource transport facilities as part of the wrap around supports provided by the HSE in approved psychiatric centres, mental health day centres and community mental health residences is borne out in The Cost of Disability in Ireland, a recent report commissioned by the Department of Social Protection from Indecon. This report includes data on the average extra yearly living costs due to disability that survey respondents cannot afford. For those with a mental health, psychological or emotional condition or issue, the average annual extra cost is €3,268. Transport costs account for €494 of this figure, the third highest category of extra cost after care/assistance and housing.
The requirement that vehicles are green or hybrid is in line with government policy.
