Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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We tried to have this raised as a topical issue in July and as our chance has been quite a while coming, I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss the matter today. I am glad that the Minister is here to discuss it.

In 2008 we were told that one in seven people had a mental health issue. We know recent figures suggest the number is now one in four. A recent report from Headstrong indicates that almost one third of young people are experiencing mental distress. We all experience some mental distress, but it is much more severe for some people and we need services to help such individuals.

The cross-party group in the Oireachtas is made up of representatives from all of the political parties. I am the Independents' representative. We have made our own pre-budget submission which I am sure has been passed to the Minister. Such action is indicative of the seriousness of the issue and the way in which we are treating it, regardless of our political background. Supporting the mental health of the population before it reaches crisis point makes very good economic sense.

The crux of the issue is that 414 staff were promised for recruitment in 2012, as well as 477 in 2013. The numbers look fabulous on paper and they amount to almost 900 posts. Nevertheless, it was alarming to read in the July HSE staff census that the net increase between December 2012 and July 2013 was just 192. I raised an aspect of this matter as a topical issue in March when the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Brian Hayes, indicated that the HSE aimed to fill the remaining posts by the end of March 2013, but that has not happened.

What is the net increase in the number of posts? Of the 414 and 477 posts, how many mental health service posts are being taken up by people who were previously employed in mental health services? Who is doing their work if they are to be moved to a new post? We know what the ideal composition is of community mental health teams.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the opportunity to join Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan in seeking clarity on the issue of mental health funding and an update from the Minister for Health on the delivery of community-based mental health services. I recognise the Minister's commitment and thank him for being in the House to deal with this most serious issue.

Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan has already outlined how serious the issue is and I know the Minister is well aware of it. It is heartening that politicians on all sides of the House and from different backgrounds, as well as civic society, are united in a desire to do more to promote positive mental health. It is possibly the only issue on which we will unite in advance of the next budget, hence our pre-budget submission.

There is no room for complacency. We must have another €35 million allocated for mental health services in 2014 to build on the delivery of community mental health services. The Minister recognises that right across the health sector. However, the allocation of money in itself is not enough. We must ensure it is spent efficiently and effectively in the correct areas. With that in mind, I have three key questions, some of which have been raised by Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan.

Of the 414 posts allocated in 2012, how many were filled by existing workers in mental health services and have the vacated positions been filled? How many of the 477 posts included in the service plan for this year will be filled by the end of the year? What is the net increase in the staffing figure for mental health services? I know that the July HSE staffing census indicated a net increase of 192 between December 2012 and July 2013. Will we achieve the figure of approximately 900 places by the end of 2013?

I am proud to be part of a Government that is continuing to invest more resources in mental health services, but it is very important that we keep probing and questioning in order that we can ensure value for money in the community.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I thank both Deputies for giving me the opportunity to update the House on the current position in the provision of additional funding for mental health services in 2013.

Following on from the special allocation of €35 million and 414 posts provided for mental health in 2012, an additional €35 million was allocated in budget 2013 for the continued development of our mental health services across a range of headings, including the development of forensic services and community mental health teams for adults, children, older persons and mental health intellectual disability. A total of 477 posts have been approved from this allocation and as of 26 August 2013, 220 of these posts had been accepted with a further 24 posts offered to candidates. Of the 233 remaining posts, 162 are at various stages in the recruitment process. These posts are additional to the additional 414 posts funded in 2012, of which 397 have either been filled or are awaiting clearance.

The national recruitment service, NRS, creates national panels in anticipation of vacancies. On occasion, however, it is difficult to fill posts for various reasons, including availability of qualified candidates and geographical location. In addition, specific specialist staff are required to fill a number of posts and the NRS and the mental health services are working to further improve the process to allow for more bespoke and specialised panels to meet local service needs and maximise successful recruitment. I have received assurances from the HSE that the recruitment process for the new posts being funded in 2013 and any outstanding posts approved in 2012 is being given priority within the HSE.

In recognising the pivotal role that primary care has in addressing the mental health needs of the population, €5 million was made available in 2012 for the provision of counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems. An additional €2.5 million has been provided this year for the continued roll-out of this service from this special year's allocation for mental health. A total of €4 million of the additional funding provided in 2012 and 2013 was also provided to the HSE's national office for suicide prevention, NOSP, and this additional investment has led to work being progressed on almost every recommendation in Reach Out, our national strategy for action on suicide prevention, including a number of new service initiatives in this area. The NOSP also continues to fund more than 40 organisations and programmes, which are engaged in the delivery of front-line services for people who are in emotional distress, engaged in self-harm or who have been bereaved through suicide.

I reiterate the Government's commitment to the continued development of our mental health services in the community in line with A Vision for Change and Reach Out and our determination to tackle this widespread problem in our society over the past number of years.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his reply and I acknowledge the positive work that is going on but there is a need for greater transparency. We are not sure how much of the €35 million ring-fenced for mental health services in 2012 was spent on these services. This sector should not have to pick up the bill for the overspend in other HSE sectors. I would like the HSE to spell out accurately where the €35 million is being spent annually.

How many people have been transferred from residential institutions and residential care to community care? That was recommended in the 1984 report. How much progress has been made on that? Last night, there was a meeting with HSE officials about the new primary care centre planned for Summerhill in the north inner city and I would like to acknowledge the commitment to mental services in this proposed centre.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his helpful reply, which gives us clarity about the issue that was not available until the provision of these figures. I take his point about geography and qualifications. It is important that we have people in the correct places with the appropriate skill set. We need to examine prevention and the promotion of positive mental health. While it is not the Minister's direct responsibility, there is a void in this area in our schools. Deputy O'Sullivan, myself and representatives of other parties have had meetings about this. Some schools are leading the way and we have been briefed about the Scottish model. A whole school curriculum approach is needed to promoting positive mental health. Children as young as four are taught to look after the teeth and to brush them but mental health issues are not mentioned until they are 15 when it is referred to vaguely in the SPHE curriculum. We need to consider an age appropriate way to let everybody know that they need to protect their mental health. I ask the Minister and the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health to co-ordinate that with the Department of Education and Skills.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I thank both Members for raising this important issue. It is emotive, particularly at this time of year as some children leave the school system and others enter examinations year. Intellectual disability is also to the fore given the issues parents face about the placement of their children in the adult services when they leave school. I had a conversation with a departmental official earlier who said that the issue is well on the way to resolution. I acknowledge it is not particularly related to the matter raised but it is of growing concern to many people.

Deputy Harris said this is an issue on which we all agree and I hope it will not be the only one. I hope we all agree to fight tobacco and put that issue out of harm's way from the point of view of the next generation of children. The payback for that will be three decades away but it will be enormous. There is a walk for Aware starting from outside the House tomorrow week and going to Ashbourne, County Meath. I invite as many Deputies, Senators and staff as possible to join us on that walk.

Deputy O'Sullivan asked how much of the €35 million allocation was spent on mental health services. My understanding is it was all spent on these services. She also asked a reasonable question about the number of people transferred from institutional care to the community. I cannot answer the question but I will revert to her or I will ensure the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, does because I am interested in this important issue.

Deputy Harris raised the issue of addressing mental health issues on the school curriculum. I concur with him and I will raise it with the Ministers for Children and Youth Affairs and Education and Skills. This is the first Government to appoint at principal officer level a civil servant to address issues such as intellectual disability, autism and obesity across my Department and those two Departments.

Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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And alcohol.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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There is an opportunity through this office to put mental health on the curriculum. We are forever saying we want to destigmatise it and that it should be treated the same way as other health issues. It does not make sense that we should not start talking about it until children are in their late teens. We should be talking about it much earlier.