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Mental Health Services Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 February 2018

Thursday, 8 February 2018

Ceisteanna (33)

Peter Fitzpatrick

Ceist:

33. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health his main achievements in 2017 regarding the funding provided in recent years for mental health; and his service priorities for 2018. [6202/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In 2017, we achieved much in relation to the provision of mental health services, helped in no small part by the substantial increase in mental funding over the last few years. Since 2012, the Government has increased the Mental Health Budget by almost €200 million, or 28%, to over €910 million today.

Budget 2018 made allowance for an additional €57.5 million for Mental Health Services for 2018. This includes pay-related costs of €22.5 million and €20 million to further progress the new initiatives commenced in 2017.

In 2017, we continued to develop counselling services across both primary and secondary care, including the provision of three new Jigsaw youth mental health services in Cork, Dublin and Limerick.

Community Mental Health Teams and out-of-hours services saw continued development and improvement. Funding of €4.5 million was approved to expand upon services available to ensure a seven-over-seven service.

Psychiatry of Later Life saw improved services and will see further enhancement in 2018 at a consistent level across all areas including appointment of agreed new staffing.

€1 million was allocated in 2017 to start three specialist perinatal hubs in Galway University Hospital, Cork University Maternity Hospital and University Maternity Hospital Limerick and to expand the small existing teams in the three Dublin based maternity hospitals. A further €2 million has been allocated for 2018 to complete each of these six hub teams.

The Eating Disorder Clinical Care Programme, which was developed in 2017, was launched in January 2018. Three major hub teams for both adult and CAMHS received approval through 2017 New Development funding allocation with further hubs and mini-hub teams to be put in place over the next four to five years. Two new additional mental health clinical programmes, ADHD in Adults and Children, and Dual Diagnosis of those with Mental Illness and Substance Misuse commenced development in 2017.

Substantial funds were allocated to minor capital works as well as to major capital works at Lakeview, Kerry and Blackwater House. €2 million was also allocated for Homeless Mental Health services.

In staffing terms, funding was provided for an additional 70 Undergraduate Psychiatric Nurse training places, and 114 Assistant Psychologist and 20 Psychologist posts in the Primary Care Mental Health Services.

2018 will see continued improvement and expansion of the above-mentioned services and programmes to ensure mental health services are delivered in a timely, clinically effective and standardised safe manner.

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