Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

For Deputy Rabbitte's information, I was in London last night and I did not see the programme. However, this morning I received a full report on the programme and I heard the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, on the radio.

Previously, mental health was not referred to because people spoke about cancer, maternity and cardiac services. It did not receive resources. In the mid-1980s Professor Ivor Browne initiated changes in the area of mental health and the report on mental health in 1984-85 started a campaign to improve mental health services. Great strides were made during the past 20 years, but the matter came from a low base in that it did not have the resources of other areas. Deputy Rabbitte made much play on the percentage. The report asked for it to be brought to 8%. Stating what it was on a far lower budget is not the position.

I outlined that in recent years, mental health received substantial improvements in resources, including more than 400 staff in this year alone. As I pointed out, the report estimates we need 1,800 posts altogether, which leaves another 1,400 with a non-capital investment of €150 million. This year we invested €26 million and for 2007 there will be additional money in the Estimates. The report estimates €800 million in capital investment. Mental health will receive an increasingly bigger share but it will not receive the entire share.

I will not state because a programme was broadcast last night that the report A Vision for Change will be implemented tomorrow. It will not happen. The report of the expert group on mental health, which was launched 11 months ago, outlines what we should do over the coming years. The plan will take until 2011. We have 45 of the centres up and running, with eight additional centres open this year. I am told, even with the resources available since this time last year, they still do not have all the staff required. We will continue to invest resources next year.

We filled consultant psychiatrist posts. I cannot state whether every post approved will be filled but substantial resources have been provided. The mental health tribunal has been established, as have inspections. Everyone would feel sorry for anyone on the list and people must show compassion and understanding. However, it is no good standing up and stating it will all be solved tomorrow. The HSE, the Department of Health and Children and the Minister have a clear policy initiative to invest in resources and there is a monitoring group to deal with the matter. We must consistently follow this through so we can reach the total of 1,800 people as outlined in the report and have a proper national service in this area.

As we did in maternity where we have one of the best services in the world, in cardiac where we eliminated the problem and in cancer where we radically improved the situation, we must do in mental health services.

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