Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the concern being expressed by various organisations in relation to the funding situation for disability services provided in 2009, and the possible loss of 6% in the mental health budget in 2009 and the impact this will have upon the ability to provide services; and if her attention has further been drawn to the funding shortfalls that existed in relation to the provision of personal assistants and resources and outreach services; if, in this context this matter will be reviewed and reassessed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41835/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In Budget 2009, an additional €10 million was allocated to the HSE for services in the area of disability and mental health. The funding for 2009 will provide for 125 additional therapy posts in the disability and mental health services area, targeted at children of school going age. In addition, once-off funding of €1.75m is being provided for suicide prevention initiatives and for mental health projects supporting service users and carers.

Almost €1 billion is provided each year to non-statutory providers of disability services. In line with the efficiency measures being taken elsewhere in the health system, an efficiency reduction of 1% will be applied by the HSE to the allocations of non-statutory disability agencies for 2009. It is envisaged that efficiencies will be achieved in non-frontline areas such as advertising, PR, travel and subsistence and management/administrative payroll costs.

Mental health services currently spend an estimated €1 billion. It is also important to bear in mind that some 90% of mental health problems are dealt with in primary care.

The estimated additional cost of the implementation of 'A Vision for Change' the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy is €150m over 7-10 years. A total of €51.2 million has been allocated since 2006 which represents over a third of the overall requirement. Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive is obliged to operate within its overall vote. In this regard, it took steps to ensure that it met this objective in 2007 by delaying some of its planned developments, including developments in mental health. I am advised that of the €51 million provided in 2006 and 2007 for the implementation of 'A Vision for Change', about €30 million has now been invested.

In 2008 the HSE prioritised the development of child and adolescent mental health services. The recruitment of 8 additional child and adolescent mental health teams and the commissioning of 14 additional beds for children and adolescents are underway. Construction of two 20 bed units for children and adolescents and Cork and Galway is scheduled to commence in 2009.

As the matters raised by the Deputy, including the provision of personal assistants and resources and outreach services are a matter for the HSE under the Health Act 2004, I have requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have these matters investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.