Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I based my preparation for today's Question Time on the figures for April of this year. The broad position in April was that 383 of last year's promised 414 staff positions had been filled, were under offer or were awaiting clearance. It appears from the April HSE census that the net increase in the number of staff in the mental health services is much lower, however, and that the actual increase in the number of posts is 188, or just short of 200 fewer posts across the mental health service. Therefore, the figure of 383 is not what it seems to be. As the Minister of State mentioned in her reply, it had increased to 385 by the end of May. I am seeking a clear explanation from her. As a result of the delay in delivering the 414 posts that were promised, very little of the 2012 allocation of €35 million has been spent. Even when these new posts are eventually filled, our mental health services will still be staffed far below the level recommended in A Vision for Change. If posts are being vacated and not backfilled, this is a case of the Government giving with one hand and taking with another. It is not living up to the expectation it created when it promised 414 new additional posts. When will these posts be filled? They are all needed.

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