Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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805. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a mental health charity (details supplied) does not receive any State funding in Cavan and Monaghan; what sources of funding are available to it for support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43069/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the planning and delivery of health services at local level, including those for Mental Health. The Department of Health does not directly fund the type of organization referred to by the Deputy in his Question.

Under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the HSE may support any person or body that provides or proposes to provide a service similar or ancillary to a service that the HSE may provide. It is my understanding that the organization in question made an application for section 39 funding to the HSE. It is a therefore a matter for the HSE to make a decision in relation to this funding request. This would take account of all relevant factors including , for example, existing HSE services, how any proposal aligns with local HSE service priorities; Governance arrangements, Quality and Safety, resource availability or any other appropriate matter that normally applies to Service Level Agreements between the HSE and NGOs generally.

In the circumstances, the organisation in question should continue to liaise with the HSE on this matter.

I am aware of the important work SOSAD carry’s out weekly for many people. Arrangements are being made for me to meet with management of SOSAD to discuss the current issues that have been raised.