Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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166. To ask the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding ring fencing funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30417/17]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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A Vision For Change requires that mental health services are accessible to all who require them. The HSE Mental Health Division has prioritised the provision of seven-day services as a key priority for 2017.

The HSE Mental Health Division’s first priority is to ensure that all areas provide access to a weekend service for people currently attending the service. In recognition of this, it set up a Service Improvement Project with a dedicated Project Manager resource in November 2016.

This project is focused on a more detailed mapping of current provision at weekends and extended hours including uptake of the service.

The HSE Mental Health Division is also examining other options such as a phone helpline for people who are attending or have attended the Specialist Mental Health Services in the past. This would enable people in need of advice to obtain this immediately from a mental health professional.

In March 2017, HSE presented proposals for the extension of seven day Mental Health services coverage to Minister McEntee. This included identification of gaps in the current service. HSE advised that the extension would take the form of extra staff being added to existing Mental Health teams to facilitate increased out-of-hours coverage. This plan is currently being finalised.

From 2012 to 2016, around €115 million was added to the HSE Mental Health Budget. This is a significant increase and the Government is strongly committed to further increasing our mental health budget annually, as resources allow, to expand existing services.

Budget 2017 made allowance for an additional €35 million for services to be initiated in 2017. Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to CAMHs and adult services, older people's mental health services and further enhanced out-of-hours response for those in need of urgent services. Recognising the time lag in new staff taking up posts and the completion of preparations for the introduction of these services, it is estimated that the revenue spend in 2017 associated with this increased allocation will be €15 million. There will also be a further additional spend of €9.5 million in mental health associated with increased pay rates, bringing the total budget to over €850 million.