Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 June 2015
141. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that there are 1,200 fewer mental health staff in the health services now than there were in 2006; the roles that make up this group; the full-year cost of providing a single individual member of staff in these various roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22696/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of staff employed in the Mental Health Service has fluctuated in recent years due to departures for various reasons, including redundancy, retirement or staff moving to take up employment elsewhere. The HSE Mental Health Division has been actively working to improve the underlying recruitment issues largely relating to Nursing and Medical staff, with some challenges in the recruitment of Psychology staff.
Since coming into office, this Government has provided additional funding of €125 million and some 1,150 new posts to develop our mental health service and in part to ensure that at a minimum, at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on all Community Mental Health Teams. It is important to note that the full recurring funding 2012 to 2014 is fully available in the 2015 Mental Health Budget and the HSE is actively recruiting to fill all posts. It should also be noted that at the end of 2014, for the first time in the last couple of years, the recruitment of the new staff from the additional funding provided for mental health, is beginning to make a difference to the total numbers of staff i.e. a net gain over those leaving the services, as well as significant increases in Health and Social Care Professionals.
In relation to the particular roles of the staff who have left the service and the costs associated with this group, as this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
