Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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623. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify, as of 18 May 2013, the number of relevant mental health staff that have commenced employment; the number that will commence employment by the end of 2013; the projection of the payroll of the newly employed mental health staff to year end 2013; and the way the remainder of the budgeted €35 million will be spent to further mental health services [25110/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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In 2012, a special allocation of €35m was provided for mental health to be used primarily to further strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both adult and children’s mental health services, to advance activities in the area of suicide prevention, to initiate the provision of psychological and counselling services in primary care, and to facilitate the transfer of mental health service users from institutional to community based care. 414 posts were approved to implement the €35m package of special measures. The most recent information available indicates that as of 30th April, 2013, 383 posts have either been filled, are under offer or awaiting clearance. The National Recruitment Service (NRS) of the HSE creates national panels in anticipation of vacancies. On occasion however, it is difficult to fill some posts for various reasons including geographical location, international shortage of some grades, most notably clinical Psychologists etc. The NRS is currently working to ensure that the remaining posts will be filled as soon as possible, subject to appropriately qualified candidates being available.

A further €35m was provided in Budget 2013 for the continued development of mental health services across a range of headings, including the further ongoing development of community services and 477 posts have been approved to implement these measures. In March, each of the four HSE regions were asked to submit a business case against each of the identified objectives detailing how the funding is to be spent and the type and number of WTE to be recruited. The business cases have been received and examined and approval has issued to three of the Regions, HSE Dublin North East, HSE South and HSE West and it is expected that approval will issue to the remaining HSE Region shortly. When the Approval Letters issue, the Regional Directors of Operations will ensure that the necessary paperwork is submitted to the NRS and the recruitment process will commence. I have received assurances from the HSE that the recruitment process for the new posts being funded in 2013, and any outstanding posts from the 414 approved in 2012, is being given priority within the HSE.

The specific details asked by the Deputy in the question are operational matters for the HSE. Accordingly, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.