Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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614. To ask the Minister for Health the amount that has been spent in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, by Connolly Hospital on the outsourcing of scans and tests to the private sector; if his Department has ever sought to determine what delays are entailed in patient treatment are due to the outsourcing by the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30498/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government remains committed to the development of all aspects of mental health services nationally, including those for children and young people. The total allocation for mental health services in 2023 is over €1.2 billion. This is another record budget for mental health services.

In addition, a new mental health 10-year Capital Development Programme is in development to focus on upgrading existing facilities, replacing inappropriate community facilities and the continued expansion of service.

As the question also concerns services, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.