Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The current economic environment presents a significant challenge for the health system generally in delivering services. However, mental health is being treated as a priority in so far as possible and I am pleased that a further substantial ring-fenced allocation will be provided next year. The announcement in budget 2014 of €20 million for mental health is in line with a commitment in the programme for Government to accelerate the pace of change to develop a modern, patient-centred and recovery-orientated mental health service. Despite serious resource pressures overall, funding of €90 million has been made available since 2012 up to the end 2014 that is specifically earmarked for mental health and suicide prevention.

This funding will enable the Health Service Executive to continue to develop and modernise mental health services in line with the recommendations in A Vision for Change and allow for the recruitment of between 250 and 280 additional staff to enhance adult community mental health teams, child and adolescent mental health teams, and specialist mental health teams, including in the area of elder psychiatry. The recruitment process for these new posts will commence in the first quarter of 2014, with all posts targeted to be in place by the fourth quarter

The HSE's national service plan for 2014, which has been submitted to the Minister for Health, outlines the types and volume of health and personal services to be provided in 2014 within the overall level of funding provided. I expect the plan to be published today.

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