Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 October 2024
222. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the level of new funding given to mental health in each budget from 2020 to present; the level of funding for the total mental health budget in each budget from 2020 to present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40582/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total allocation for mental health services in 2025 is approximately €1.5 billion, which is €143.5 million more than 2024 and which is the fifth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. Funding for mental health has increased by nearly 44% over the lifetime of this Government.
This increase in funding for mental health services represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2025.
As part of the funding allocated to mental health services, new development funding has been secured to advance initiatives on youth mental health, and around priority groups identified within our national suicide reduction strategy Connecting for Life. It will be focused on increased CAMHS staffing, a new CAMHS hub, enhancing the 'Single Point of Access' central referral mechanism for children's community services including CAMHS, opening 18 more beds in the National Forensic Mental Health Services in Portrane, increasing access to Counselling in Primary Care (CiPC), as well as the expansion of Suicide Bereavement Liaison Services and the Traveller Counselling Service.
As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2025, including that for Mental Health.
The table below outlines the budget allocation for HSE Mental Health Services since 2020:
|
NSP Allocation |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025* |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
|
Mental Health |
987 |
1,031 |
1,114 |
1,159 |
1,227 |
1,338 |
1,482 |
*2025 as per draft estimate position.
While the table provides a breakdown of funding for mental health in each year from 2020 to 2024, it should be noted that funding for mental health supports is dispersed across many areas of Government, and there is no single funding figure to reflect this. For example, the figure of approximately €1.5 billion does not include funding for other parts of the health service that provide mental health supports, such as Primary Care, Disability services, liaison mental health in acute hospitals, some dual diagnosis (addiction and mental health) services, and mental health and well-being promotion.
It also does not include either spending by other Departments on services that incorporate psychological or mental health supports, such as Tusla, the Department of Education, the Prison and Probation Services, Youth Justice, or Social Protection.
