Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
456. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he has received a copy of correspondence originally sent to An Taoiseach by a person (details supplied); if he will provide an additional €115 million for mental health services in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43454/23]
View answerMy Office received a copy of Mental Health Reform's Pre-Budget submission in September.
The total allocation for mental health services in 2024 is approximately €1.3 billion, which is the fourth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This significant investment will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the investment this Government has made over the last number of years to deliver the policy priorities of Sharing the Vision through 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 2024.
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 2024, including that for Mental Health.
