Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's response, particularly the confirmation that he will recruit additional staff in the area of mental health. I want to acknowledge that, considering that he is operating with 1,000 fewer staff than in 2011. There are 1,000 fewer of the support, caring and other staff required in the mental health service to deliver A Vision for Change. Has the HSE advised the Minister that it requires more money, somewhere in the region of €100 to €130 million, for the action plan? Has the Minister costed the action plan involved in the statement? He says the action being taken would provide for 900 additional transitional care beds in nursing homes, that there would be 173 short-stay beds and that there will be 300 overflow beds and an additional 300 in the fair deal scheme. What is the cost of that? Has he spent the €25 million that was provided for in 2015? Is that satisfactory or will he need more to provide for the action plan?

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