Dr. Shari McDaid:

I thank the committee for inviting Mental Health Reform to appear before it. I did not prepare a formal statement. The main message I wish to convey is that mental health services cannot afford to keep subsidising the rest of the health service. On current spending, as of August 2012, mental health services are incurring a spending cut of 5% to 6% compared to last year in the context of an overall health overspend of €404 million at the same point. As in previous years, there is a consistent reduction in the mental health budget. As a proportion of the overall health budget, it has decreased every year since 1984. It is now almost below 5%.

The other key message is that in the face of consistent cuts, we do not have information on how money is being spent. That is a precarious position in which to plan to ensure that quality of service is maintained in the face of cuts. I am happy to answer further questions on that point.

Members will see from our pre-budget submission that we have asked for some allocation of funding to invest in a national information system for mental health services, as recommended by the Department of Health when the Minister entered into office last year.