Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1807. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the full-year cost of increasing the mental health budget to the levels in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35022/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE Mental Health Budget has been increased by over €200 million from 2012, to €911 million today. This represents roughly 6% of the overall health spend. The percentage varies depending on which elements of overall health expenditure are taken into account, as well as what elements of healthcare are included within the mental health allocation (e.g. relevant parts of the social care allocation, or of dementia care services).
It should be noted that this figure does not include mental health activity which takes place in other Departments such as the Department of Education and Skills, or the Department of Justice and Equality. In addition, this figure does not capture expenditure by other units within the Department of Health which also provide mental health services or support, or the varying counselling and psychology services provided in primary care. This includes, for example, €2 million for specific services to enhance responses to those who are homeless and mentally ill under the ‘Drugs Policy and Social Inclusion’ unit.
Noting the above, it is not possible for me to make a accurate comparison to the United Kingdom mental health budget. I would also point out that I am more focused on how we do what we do within available budgets as increasing budgets alone will not improve mental health services for the user. I would welcome considered proposals from any deputy that can be evaluated against the available mental health budget that is increasing year-on-year, and the predicted improved outcomes for the service user.
A Vision for Change, our national mental health policy which was published in 2006 and whose ten-year term came to an end in 2016, proposed a target of 8% for mental health spending from the overall health allocation. Other commentators have suggested higher figures. There has been a significant increase in the overall gross non-capital mental health budget funding over 2012-2018. This is against a background of resource limitations and of competing demands generally for the Exchequer, including the wider health sector. A comparative positioning of Ireland internationally suggests that the percentage resource allocation today is around the median level across EU countries.
I will continue to keep the matter raised by the Deputy under review, in light of Programme for Government commitments and evolving funding and service priorities overall.
