John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Health his views on whether mental health services funding should be protected from any reductions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29438/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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While the current economic environment presents a significant challenge for the health system generally in delivering services, mental health services are being treated as a priority in so far as we can. In that regard, consideration was given to the mental health sector in Budget 2012 through a special allocation of €35m for mental health which was in line with the Programme for Government commitments. Funding from this special allocation will be used primarily to enhance both General Adult and Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams, improve access to psychological therapies in primary care and implement suicide prevention strategies. The provision of this special allocation, compared to other sectors of health, recognises that mental health services are provided to vulnerable groups.

I fully accept that the impact of any reductions in mental health services must be minimised while ensuring that the needs of service users remains the highest priority. Notwithstanding the difficult financial environment, this Government is determined to do everything possible to protect services, to respond to priority needs and to support ongoing reform of the public health services within the resources available for health.