Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2012
45 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Health the extra staff and services, over and above those available in 2011, that will be provided by the alleged additional €35 million ring-fenced for mental health in the health budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8330/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA special allocation of €35m for mental health was announced in Budget 2012 in line with the Programme for Government commitments. Funding from this special allocation will be used primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children's mental health services. It is intended that the additional resources will be rolled out in conjunction with a scheme of appropriate clinical care programmes based on an early intervention and a recovery approach. Some of the funding will also be used to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention and response to self-harm presentations and to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care specifically for people with mental health problems. Some provision will also be made to facilitate the re-location of mental health service users from institutional care to more independent living arrangements in their communities, in line with A Vision for Change. Approximately 400 additional staff will be recruited to support these initiatives. Details of how the additional funding will be apportioned are set out in the HSE National Service Plan for 2012 which was approved by the Minister in accordance with the Mental Health Act 2004.
