Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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47. To ask the Minister for Health for a detailed account of the spend to date, at end quarter 3, of the additional €35 million allocated for mental health purposes in 2015; if he will specify each of the headings and subheadings, and the sums expended in each case; if the total sum will be fully and appropriately utilised before year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36362/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Following discussions between the Department of Health and the HSE around the allocation of the €35 million provided for mental health in 2015, the priority areas to be further enhanced and developed for the remainder of the year have been broadly agreed. The priorities for this year include a number of non-pay initiatives including the funding of external providers to supplement HSE service delivery, funding to improve safety and regulatory compliance of services on a once-off basis this year, as well as funding for enhanced service capacity which was funded up to now through the use of time related savings from previous years' allocations. At this point €26.43m has been approved for release to the HSE, with the remainder to be finalised with the HSE as soon as possible.

The following table details the funding approved to date. The initiatives listed at 1 - 8 are already underway and broadly consist of existing base cost initiatives which will be funded on an ongoing basis from the 2015 development funding. The €11 million provided for priority works to improve safety and regulatory compliance of Mental Health Services, and the €2 million provided for short-term respite, assistance and supports for the Disability Services, are being provided on a once-off basis this year, and this funding will be available in full to the Mental Health Services in 2016 for the recruitment of mental health posts and other service developments.