Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Will the division please provide a breakdown for the 2018 mental health budget, including the 2018 development funding? Will the witnesses let me know how and why these areas were identified for investment? The 2017 HSE mental health operation plan commits to reviewing existing out-of-hours services, exploring ways to improve 24-7 crisis intervention arrangements and considering pilot sites. It makes commitments on the development of out-of-hours mental health supports being included in the HSE mental health operation plans since 2014. In February of this year, the then Minister of State with responsibility for mental health services, Deputy Helen McEntee, publicly stated that work was under way on a roadmap for the development of out-of-hours access to mental health services. Has the HSE completed this work? When did the HSE complete the work? When will the roadmap be published? Has a budget been identified for its implementation?

Has any funding been allocated to the exploration and design of evidence-based psychological resilience building programmes in our schools even on a pilot basis? There is extensive research from other countries showing that certain strategies taught in schools can leave children less vulnerable to mental illness. This is not to take away from the well-being policy being implemented in the new junior certificate. Are we being specific about psychological interventions based on psychological research, which indicates that early intervention is key? Has any consideration been given by the HSE to establishing a team of appropriately trained psychotherapists or psychologists dedicated specifically to schools? There are some teachers who are trained as psychotherapists. NEPS is under-resourced and such a team would take the pressure off it. Has any research been done on this by the division? Has a budget been identified to implement this?