Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
266. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health further to the publication of the Mental Health Commission's annual report 2022, if he will consider front-loading investment in mental health services, rather than the current funding model; if he would like to see changes in the funding model going forward; how he intends to address the major issues highlighted in the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28909/23]
View answerI am a strong advocate of a patient-centred mental health service and welcome the Mental Health Commission’s Annual Report for 2022 which provides an important independent insight into where we are performing well and where improvement is required.
I am pleased to note that there has been an overall improvement in compliance in recent years, and acknowledge that further continued improvement is needed.
2022 saw increased overall compliance across 31 Regulations (88.37% compared with 80.04% in 2019). The decline in seclusion, physical restraint, instances of overcapacity and child admissions to adult units are welcomed as a human rights-based approach continues to be embedded in services across the State.
The Mental Health Commission Annual Report for 2022 raises a range of important issues around the delivery of mental health services. I and the Department of Health will continue to work closely with both the Mental Health Commission and the Health Service Executive (HSE) to improve mental health services. The Irish mental health services have a number of strengths, including a highly skilled and dedicated workforce, a focus on quality improvement and the increased provision of person-centred care.
Drafting of the new Mental Health Bill continues, for introduction to the Oireachtas later this year. The new Bill will overhaul our mental health legislation making it more person-centred and human rights focused and help to put in place a more robust framework in which mental health services can be delivered.
The Government remains committed to the development of all aspects of mental health services nationally, including those for children and young people. The total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion. This is another record budget for mental health services.
I acknowledge that there are potential benefits of introducing multi-annual funding to improve planning over a multi-annual horizon on a more structured and sustainable timeframe than a single year. However, there currently exist a range of legislative barriers to the introduction of multi-annual funding on the basis that the Oireachtas only votes current expenditure to individual Government departments for a single year at a time. This in turn translates into the legislative provisions under the Health Act 2004 (as amended) where the Department confirms the funding determination to the HSE each year, post Budget, to inform the development of the HSE National Service Plan. This funding allocation and service planning process only occurs on a planning horizon of a single year at a time.
A new mental health 10-year Capital Development Programme is in development to focus on upgrading existing facilities, replacing inappropriate community facilities and the continued expansion of service.
