Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will not withdraw it. There is a commitment in the programme for Government on mental health and on the confidence and supply agreement. Many people in the mental health community want the Government to be very clear on the investment of €35 million annually in terms of the implementation of the recommendations of A Vision for Change. In recent times, the €35 million has been announced annually but never fully spent. Only €15 million will have been spent in 2016. Up to €12 million was withheld. Back then, there was a big furore and outcry about it and the money was reinstated. People want to ensure the full implementation of the commitment to the programme for Government and in the budget that there will be proper subheads and budgeting of the extra €35 million, that it will be allocated to objectives and specific expenditure items that will be realised over the next 12 months and that it is not the case of €35 million being allocated, not being spent and being withdrawn at the end of next year.

People are looking for precision and a clear enunciation of the allocation of €35 million in the HSE service plan when it is produced later in the year.

See this speech in context