Mental Health Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022

Tuesday, 4 October 2022

Questions (672, 673)

Mark Ward

Question:

672. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the total amount that has been allocated to mental health in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48422/22]

Mark Ward

Question:

673. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the percentage of the overall health budget that has been allocated for mental health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48423/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 672 and 673 together.

The total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion, which is another record budget for mental health services. This significant investment will enable implementation of many of the short and medium-term measures in our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, enhancing the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2023.

As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2023, including that for Mental Health.

Question No. 673 answered with Question No. 672.