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Mental Health Services Report

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

Ceisteanna (393, 412, 413)

Billy Timmins

Ceist:

393. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health following recent reports (details supplied) that the bulk of the €35 million promised in Budget 2012 for the development of community mental health services was going to be used to offset the Health Service Executive deficit, the way this will effect the implementation of A Vision for Change; the position regarding the implementation of a A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40069/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Dan Neville

Ceist:

412. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recruitment of the approved creation of an additional 414 posts for healthcare professionals as recommended in A Vision for Change to support the the delivery of modern secondary mental health care in the community [40167/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

John Paul Phelan

Ceist:

413. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the 2012 funding for the mental health services with particular reference to the 414 additional staff that were announced for the provision of the service; if as per recent information from his Department it is still hoped that 353 of these positions will be filled before the end of 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40171/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 412 and 413 together.

Since taking office, this Government has prioritised the reform of our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change and is committed in particular to the delivery of more and better quality care in the community. The special allocation of €35m for mental health which was announced in Budget 2012 in line with the Programme for Government commitments will be used primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children’s mental health services, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems and to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention.

Of the 414 posts approved to implement the €35 million package of special measures for mental health introduced in Budget 2012, 353 are with the National Recruitment Service of the HSE at various stages in the recruitment process, 321 have been put to candidates to express an interest and others are awaiting competitions or the completion of essential paperwork. Most start dates are expected to be in December to allow for the process of checking references, Garda clearance etc.

This Government remains committed to engaging these professionals as soon as is feasible and the work of completing the process remains a priority. These posts will not generate a full year cost in 2012. However, overall expenditure in mental health for 2012 is not available yet but the provisional outturn to mid-year was, like many other areas, running ahead of budget. It is not possible at this stage to say what the net end year position will be in mental health.

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