Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 April 2018
756. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to his Department's mental health unit in 2017; the funding spent by the unit in 2017; the 2018 budgetary allocation to the unit in terms of salary and non-slary allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15436/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health's Mental Health Unit comprises 1 Principal Officer, 5 Assistant Principal Officers (including one on secondment from HSE), 1 Administrative Officer, 4 Higher Executive Officers and an Executive Officer. The Unit does not have a specific budget allocation as the pay costs of the unit are included in the Department's overall salary expense. Salaries are paid in line with Civil Service Pay Policy and pay-scales, which can be found on the website: www.circulars.gov.ie.
Non-salary expenses are paid as and when they arise and are subject to approval. The cost for 2017 was €114,278. The cost for the first quarter of 2018 was €7,847. These costs include such items as the Youth Mental Health Task Force and the Oversight Group reviewing A Vision For Change. There is no estimate of cost for the remaining three quarters of this year.
