Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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1088. To ask the Minister for Health to confirm if a community mental health group (details supplied) is eligible for State funding; and if it will be considered for a grant from the HSE. [63456/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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It is a priority of Government to promote mental health and reduce the burden of mental health difficulties for all, supported by substantial investment in mental health services each year. This includes significant investment in Mental Health voluntary and community organisations, which receive substantial funding from the mental health budget on a yearly basis.

The Government places significant value on the role of voluntary and community organisations in mental health services in Ireland.

Over €110 million annually is provided to over 165 national or local organisations that provide valuable mental health services or supports. This includes organisations such as Mental Health Reform, Jigsaw, Pieta, Mental Health Ireland, SHINE and many other smaller local organisations doing vital work in their communities.

Funding to voluntary and community organisations is arranged through the section 39 process via local HSE Mental Health Services, once necessary criteria are met and where a need has been identified.

All such organisations must make an application for Section 39 funding, which is then assessed by local HSE Mental Health Services and will be advanced or not depending on a variety of conditions, such as the organisation supplying the required information, local operational and clinical considerations, and HSE budgetary constraints.

In any negotiations between HSE and any charity or organisation, information such as audited accounts, governance arrangements and independent board of directors details are required, so that HSE can undertake necessary due diligence. Local HSE are always available to provide guidance to any organisation on the necessary work to comply with the requirements ahead of consideration of HSE funding of their organisation.

Prior to any funding arrangement, the HSE will need full and complete details on the corporate governance of an organisation, such as information on the board responsible for independent oversight of the management of an organisation, along with an organisation's annual financial statements which comply with the most recent statutory deadlines, as well as details of what clinical governance structures are in place, if relevant.

These are essential and appropriate steps on the road to providing funding to any organisation. They are the same requirements of all bodies to whom the State provides public funding.

With regard to the specific organisation raised in your request, the HSE are best placed to advise on potential funding, and I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.