Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 November 2023
590. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health to give due consideration to set aside dedicated funding for National Clinical Programmes in relation to Women’s Mental Health, Eating Disorders, and Dual Diagnosis (self-harm/suicide and homelessness). [49875/23]
View answerThe National Clinical Programmes (NCPs) are part of the Office of the Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) in the HSE. The Mental Health Clinical Programmes are a joint initiative between this office, HSE Mental Health Services, and the College of Psychiatry of Ireland. The overarching aim of the NCPs is to standardise quality evidence based practice across the Mental Health Services. The NCPs for mental health are:
Self-harm and suicide related ideation
Eating Disorders Service
Early Intervention in Psychosis
ADHD in adults
Dual Diagnosis (concurrent mental health disorder and a substance use disorder)
There are also specialist mental health services covering the areas of Older People, Intellectual Disability, and Perinatal Mental Health.
To note, there is no NCP in relation to women's mental health or homelessness as referenced in the Parliamentary Question.
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 increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which 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 part of the funding allocated to mental health services, new development funding has been secured to advance initiatives on youth mental health, and around priority groups identified within our national suicide prevention strategy Connecting for Life. This new development funding will be focused on increased CAMHS staffing, a new Youth Mental Health app, a referral pilot for children's community services including CAMHS (piloting an approach to service referrals known as ‘No Wrong Door’), the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Services, and expanding the Traveller Counselling Service to achieve national coverage for the first time.
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.
