Alex White (Dublin South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In line with the programme for Government commitment, the priority demonstrated by the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and the Government has been to modernise our mental health services, notwithstanding the severe resource constraints of the past four years in particular. What we are seeking to do, and have done to a great extent, is to prioritise new resources to underpin the implementation of A Vision for Change.

The Deputy pointed to an issue. That is his role and I respect that. I accept that deficits and issues remain to be addressed, but the Deputy must accept, and I hope that the House will accept it also, the fact that the Government has provided an additional €125 million and 1,150 posts for mental health services between 2012 and 2015, comprising €35 million and 416 posts in 2012, €35 million and 477 posts in 2013 and €20 million for the recruitment of 251 posts last year. One can always say that this is not enough and that more needs to be done. I will have a respectful debate with the Deputy about that, but he should please acknowledge what has been done as well as the priority that has been accorded to this matter.

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