Written answers

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Department of Health

Mental Health Services

8:00 pm

Photo of Kevin HumphreysKevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Health when a Director of Mental Health will be appointed in the Health Service Executive; if he will carry out this reform in advance of the establishment of a mental health directorate; if he is satisfied with the current use of resources budgeted for the provision of mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29360/12]

Photo of Kathleen LynchKathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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The Government has recently approved the drafting of legislation to abolish the Board of the Health Service Executive and to provide for a Directorate to be the new governing body for the HSE in place of the Board. The intention is that the Bill will be drafted as a matter of urgency so that it can be considered by the Oireachtas as soon as possible. In tandem with the proposed new legal structures, new administrative structures will be put in place within the HSE which will reflect the need for a greater operational management focus on the delivery of key services and greater transparency about funding, service delivery and accountability. The new arrangements will include a separate Directorate for Mental Health. Consideration is currently being given to how best to give effect to the new administrative structures, including the selection and appointment of new directors at national level. It is not intended to appoint directors until this process is complete.

The Deputy will appreciate that the current economic environment presents a significant challenge for the health system generally in delivering services. However, mental health is being treated as a priority in so far as we can. Total funding for mental health in 2012 is in the region of €707 million. Like all other care areas, efficiency and other savings were required in 2012 from the Mental Health Service. However, in Budget 2012, a special allocation of €35m for mental health was announced in line with the Programme for Government commitments. Funding from this special allocation will be used primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children's mental health services which will ensure, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on every team. This is very much in keeping with the policy set out in a Vision for Change. Some of the funding will also be used to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention and response to self-harm presentations and to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, specifically for people with mental health problems.

The HSE National Service Plan, which has been approved by the Minister for Health, sets out the type and volume of service the HSE will provide directly, or through a range of funded agencies, during 2012. The Plan which was prepared in the context of the challenges faced by the health services this year in terms of reduced staffing levels, and a reduced budget, combined with increasing demand for services will be the subject of continuous review.

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