Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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193. To ask the Minister for Health the number of community mental health posts sanctioned in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the number of these posts which have been filled to date and the number of outstanding vacancies which remain to be filled [36218/14]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Since 2012, an additional €90 million and some 1,150 posts have been funded comprising €35 m for 414 posts in 2012, €35 m for up to 477 posts in 2013, and €20 m for approximately 250 posts in 2014. The funding is being used to continue to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams for both adults and children, to enhance specialist community mental health services for older people with a mental illness, those with an intellectual disability and mental illness , forensic mental health services, and to enhance access to counselling and psychotherapy in primary care, and investment in suicide prevention measures.

Of the 414 posts allocated in 2012, 396 or 95% were in post at the end of June. The remainder are at various stages in the recruitment process. Of the 477 posts allocated in 2013, as at the end of June, 332 or 70%of the posts had been filled, with a further12 posts or 3% with agreed start dates after 30^thJune 2014. The remainder are at various stages in the recruitment process. In summary, of the 891 posts approved over 2012/2013, approximately 740 (83%)have taken up duty.

In relation to the 250 posts approved for 2014, the HSE Mental Health Management Team, having considered the priorities identified, has agreed the initial tranche of posts to be filled. An initial list of 170 posts has been allocated to service areas, to enable the next cycle of recruitment to begin. The remaining posts from the 2014 allocation are currently being identified in the context of specific service improvement needs.