Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 54: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if funding of €50 million required for the implementation of a Vision for Change in 2008 and 2009 will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6674/09]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Substantial resources are invested in mental health services; overall spending on mental health services in 2007 amounted to €1 billion, and this level of funding continued into 2008 and 2009. Implementing 'A Vision for Change' is essentially about the reallocation and remodelling of these resources.

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. Development funding totalling €51.2m was allocated to the HSE in 2006 and 2007, some of which was diverted because of core budgetary pressures; however, I am advised by the HSE that 94% of the €51.2m will be in place before the end of 2009. Additional funding has been provided in 2009 for the recruitment of 35 therapy posts for the child and adolescent mental health service. In addition, once-off funding of €1.75m has been provided for suicide prevention initiatives and for mental health projects supporting service users and carers.