Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government commits to increasing resources for mental health. That is being done. We had spending at approximately €700 million in 2011. It is well in excess of €900 million now, and will approach €1 billion next year. There has been a 67% increase in clinical CAMHS staff since 2008.

Twenty more teams have been put in place, an increase of 40%. Also, 3,000 more appointments are being offered this year, while 50% of new appointments are now seen within four weeks, an improvement on the previous figure of 46%. There has been an increase of 100% in the number of acute inpatient units and an increase of 375% in the number of acute inpatient beds, from 16 to 76. Rather than read all of this information, I can provide the Deputy with a more detailed note. There is a huge level of investment which has happened, is under way and planned. Of course, there is also a huge need to be met.

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