Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is always a difficulty with the mental health programme. I seem to understand it every time it is explained to me but I never manage to explain it to somebody else. The mental health budget had an allocation of €35 million this year over last year. As much as €20 million is not maintained but kept back because it is allocated to the employment of additional staff, which cannot be sourced. Therefore, the money does not go into the budget but is brought forward into the following year. I am sure I did not give the proper explanation but I am sure the Minister can clarify it for me.