Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, Deputy Harney, Minister for Health and Children. I thank Deputy Neville for raising this issue as it provides me with an opportunity to update the House regarding funding for mental health services. As the Deputy is aware, I worked in psychiatric services for a number of years. I continue as chairman of the Roscommon Mental Health Association so I have a particular interest in the matter.

The Government will consider the 2011 Estimates for the health service over the coming weeks in the context of the strategy for economic recovery and the target to reduce the general Government deficit to 3% of GDP by 2014.

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