Seán Sherlock
Ceist:1934. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount that she is seeking to allocate for mental health nurses in youth homeless programmes in the upcoming Budget. [43772/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 8 September 2022
Ceisteanna (1934)
Freagraí scríofa
The Department is engaging in dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE in relation to the 2023 Estimates. Until these discussions are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter. However, I am committed to ensuring the continued enhancement of mental health services through the allocation of additional funding for mental health in 2023.
The Government’s clear commitment to enhancing mental health services, is shown by significant mental health funding increases in recent years. I would note for the Deputy that 2022 saw a record budget for mental health of €1.149 billion, comprising €24 million for new developments, €10 million for mental health initiatives in response to Covid and €13 million for existing levels of service. An additional once off €10 million was announced on Budget Day to further support the mental health sector.
I am pleased to have secured an unprecedented level of funding, totalling, €1.149 billion, for mental health in this year’s budget. This Budget, which is the largest mental health budget in the history of the state, is supporting the continued implementation of new developments under our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, including out of hours supports, CAMHS services, crisis resolution team, the national clinical programmes, and specialist mental health services for older people.
Budget Day also saw the addition of once off €10 million for mental health purposes. €1m of this was provided for MyMind to continue to deliver free of charge counselling sessions, to clients impacted negatively by the COVID-19 pandemic. This scheme has been extended to those affected by the Ukrainian crisis and defective concrete blocks in Donegal and Mayo. €1m was also provided to Mental Health Ireland to manage a grant scheme on behalf of the Department for community and voluntary agencies promoting mental health and wellbeing.
All aspects of mental health services are being improved and developed, through Sharing the Vision in the short to longer term. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.
Sharing the Vision A Mental Health Policy for Everyone (2020) sets out to create a mental health system that addresses the needs of the population, it is based on the principles of respect, compassion, equity and hope. The policy was developed in partnership with service users and families. Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan 2022 – 2024 has been published. Recommendation 58 and 59 in the Sharing the Vision Implementation Plan 2022 – 2024 address homelessness. Actions include the completion of recruitment for outreach teams in CHO 7 and CHO 9 to widen access for those experiencing homelessness. It is necessary to carry out a needs analysis to define service deficit, develop an implementation plan in line with the stepped model of mental health support for the homeless population and advance the phased expansion of the existing service.
Currently, there are two specialist community mental health teams in Dublin for people who are homeless and experiencing severe or complex mental health issues.
People experiencing homelessness can also access general community mental health teams and mental health supports in primary care. A range of dedicated mental health supports for people who are homeless are also delivered through HSE-funded community and voluntary groups, including SafetyNet, Merchant’s Quay Ireland and Dublin Simon Community.