Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

Deputies can be assured that this Government is determined to do everything possible to protect services, to respond to priority needs and to support ongoing reform of the public health services within the resources available for health.

We are all too aware that the Health Service Executive must work within limited financial resources. The health sector represents more than 27% of public expenditure so the appropriate management of the public finances means that the Health Service Executive must operate within the approved budget set out at the start of the year. Under the Health Act 2004, the HSE is required to prepare an annual national service plan which must indicate the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided by the Health Service Executive. This plan must be approved by the Minister for Health and Children. The appropriate management of the health services also means that mental health services must be funded in an equitable and sustainable manner.

There is no doubt that the current economic situation is putting greater stress on individuals, families and communities. In response, the Government has provided additional funding of almost €l million this year under the dormant accounts fund for a programme of suicide prevention measures to help communities develop integrated local action plans for suicide prevention. The special needs of the mental health service have also been recognised in the context of the 2010 employment control framework for the health service, which provides for an exemption from the moratorium in respect of 100 psychiatric nursing posts.

I should also draw attention to the innovation fund for disabilities and mental health, which was established to help support the transition from institutional to person-centred models of care. Some €3 million in funding has been allocated to Genio, a non-profit organisation that supports self-determination, inclusion and equality for disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Genio has established a fund with support from the Atlantic Philanthropies to support the transition from traditional, expensive group-based services to more effective individualised, person-centred supports. During 2010, 50 projects were awarded grants totalling €3.6 million. Fifteen of those projects were mental health projects with funding of €1.4 million.

It is fair to say that, despite the economic downturn, we are still making tangible progress on the implementation of A Vision for Change. It is important to recognise that in many parts of the country, services are pressing ahead with the implementation of the policy and we should not lose sight of this. Significant progress has been achieved, including shorter episodes of inpatient care, improved child and adolescent mental health services, fewer involuntary admissions and the involvement of service users in all aspects of mental health policy, service planning and delivery.

Acute admissions to St. Brendan's Hospital, Grangegorman, have ceased following the opening of a new admission facility for north-west Dublin mental health services in Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, in September 2010. Construction on a 54-bed unit to replace the current facilities for long stay patients at St. Brendan's Hospital is due to begin later this year. It is also worth noting that plans for the transfer of acute inpatient admissions from St. Ita's Hospital, Portrane, to a new purpose built unit on the Beaumont Hospital campus are proceeding. A tendering process has been completed and the successful contractor has been notified. It is anticipated that construction works will commence in February 2011.

New community nursing units in Ballinasloe and Mullingar have been developed and it is anticipated that two new 20-bed child and adolescent inpatient units in Cork and Galway will be commissioned before the end of the year. Other construction works have commenced around the country, including the development of a new acute psychiatric unit in Letterkenny and a new child and adolescent day hospital and ancillary facilities at Cherry Orchard, Dublin. These developments will be funded from the proceeds of the sale of psychiatric assets. The House will recall that budget 2010 provided for a multi-annual programme of capital investment in high priority mental health projects and an initial investment of €50 million in the mental health capital programme.

The Government is acutely aware that mental health is a resource that needs to be promoted and protected, particularly in times of economic difficulty. I wish to assure the House of the Government's unwavering commitment to developing our mental health services in line with A Vision for Change.

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