Written answers

Thursday, 12 March 2009

Department of Health and Children

Mental Health Services

5:00 pm

Photo of Dan NevilleDan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 119: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the amount of funds allocated to the mental health services in 2006 and 2007 which have been diverted to other service areas; and the measures that have been introduced to protect mental health budgets at central and regional levels. [10620/09]

Photo of John MoloneyJohn Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Substantial resources are invested in mental health services. Estimated spending on mental health services in 2007 amounted to €1 billion and this level of funding continued into 2008 and 2009. Additional funding totalling €51.2m was allocated to the HSE in 2006 and 2007 for the development of services in line with 'A Vision for Change'. Some of this money 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.

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