Skip to main content

Update: Budget for Mental Health Services 1st July 2014

1st July 2014 - Bernard Durkan TD

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Share by email
 
QUESTION NO:  181
 
DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health (Ms. Lynch)
by Deputy Bernard J. Durkan
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 25/06/2014  
 
 
 *  To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the budget in respect of mental health services in the current year is deemed adequate to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                                                                                                                  Bernard J. Durkan T.D.

 
 
REPLY.
The Government is committed to the continued reform of the mental health services, notwithstanding the substantial overall reduction in resources available to the health service in recent years.  The estimated provision for mental health in 2014 is €766 million.  This figure includes the additional funding of €90 million that has been provided since 2012 for a range of new posts and other specific initiatives relating to mental health and suicide prevention.  Areas being funded for development this year include specialised secondary care services for children and adolescents, adults, older persons, those with an intellectual disability and a mental illness, and forensic services.  These service initiatives are in line with A Vision for Change.
 
In addition, about one in four people experience mental health problems in their lifetime, many of whom will be dealt with in primary care.  It is estimated that approximately 90% of mental health problems are dealt with in primary care, and that some 30% of people who attend primary care have a mental health problem.  Expenditure on these services is not captured in the health budget detailed above.

Bernard Durkan TD

Kildare North

Bernard J Durkan is the Fine Gael spokesperson on Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. Originally from Killasser, Co Mayo,…

Related news

Sinn Féin reach new low exploiting Covid diagnosis in Dáil vote

Fine Gael’s most senior TD, Bernard Durkan, has said Sinn Féin have displayed a terrible lack of decency and reached…

12th July 2022

Agency should be tasked with monitoring alleged price gouging by service providers – Durkan

A government agency should be tasked with monitoring price increases across utility and service providers to ensure fairness and transparency…

24th June 2022

Questions remain about National Lottery’s new 'must-win' prize game – Durkan

The National Lottery’s newly announced ‘must-win prize’ is an acknowledgement that the 6-month rollover is unsustainable, but questions remain regarding…

15th December 2021

Stay Up To Date With Fine Gael