Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree that more must be done on this and I will pass on the Deputy's observations in the context of drawing up the service plan for 2019 with the HSE. In addition to the psychology posts and the benefits they bring to the service, we are also committed to increasing the number of psychiatric nurse undergraduate places by 130 annually by 2021-22. That will increase from 270 undergraduate posts to 400 a year.

On an improved seven day a week services, which returns to the Deputy's point about the level of service we are providing, the HSE is in the final stages of recruiting the staff required to deliver seven day a week mental health service cover for the areas that do not currently have a service in place. It is also expected to be delivered in early 2019.

I will take the Deputy's points on board as we prepare for the HSE service plan 2019.

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