Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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280. To ask the Minister for Health if he will guarantee that there will be an increase in investment in mental health in Budget 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37108/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As you the Deputy will be aware, as Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People I take the Budget Estimates very seriously.

The Department of Health is currently engaging in dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and the HSE in relation to the 2025 Estimates. Until these discussions are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment on this matter. However, I am committed to ensuring the continued enhancement of mental health services through the allocation of additional funding for mental health in 2025.

Developments in mental health services (MHS) have continued this year, significant increased funding by Government has underpinned good progress on implementation of Sharing the Vision, Ireland’s national mental health policy, and Connecting for Life , Ireland’s national suicide reduction strategy. I am committed to ensuring the continued development of MHS and supports this year and into the future.

Access to services is central to the Government’s commitments under Sláintecare and Sharing the Vision . Funding for mental health services increased to over €1.3 billion in 2024. Approximately €150 million is being provided to the specialist secondary care Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) this year. In addition, approximately €110m is provided to community-based mental health organisations and NGOs annually, with a significant portion dedicated to supporting young people. These ongoing increases in the mental health budget underline the Government’s commitment to the continued enhancement of mental health services.

Importantly, as budgets increase, we need to ensure that we have plans and strategies in place so that those resources are used effectively and efficiently to the benefit of people using our mental health services. Through our national mental health policy Sharing the Vision, all aspects of mental health services are being improved and developed, in the short to longer term. Sharing the Vision aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum, from mental health promotion, prevention, and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, during the period 2020-2030.

I look forward to announcing several new initiatives as part of Budget 2025 to support those with mental health difficulties including to improve access and enhanced signposting of services.