FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday April 26th 2016
THE Department of Health has not yet released any of the €35 million in development funding for mental health to the HSE which was supposed to be ring-fenced in Budget 2016, it has emerged.
Speaking on the Claire Byrne Live Show on RTE last night, the National Director for Mental Health Services in the HSE, Ms Anne O’ Connor explained that the €35 million in additional development funding was to recruit staff and develop new services.
However she stated “that funding actually sits with the Department of Health at the moment. So it hasn’t come to me, or come to the HSE.”
The Director of Mental Health Reform Dr Shari McDaid described the delay in releasing these funds as “extremely worrying”.
“Not only has mental health funding had its budget reduced in 2016 by €12 million, it has not even received the reduced pot of funding after almost four months into the year. This completely avoidable delay in releasing funds means that the development of new services will also be delayed.
Dr McDaid welcomed the Dail debate on mental health which took place earlier today, however she said she was “very disappointed” that there was no commitment given to retain the full €35 million in mental health in 2016.
ENDS
About Mental Health Reform
Mental Health Reform is the national coalition promoting improved mental health services and the social inclusion of people with mental health difficulties. The coalition currently has 54 members. See www.mentalhealthreform.ie/membership/ for more details. Mental Health Reform acknowledges the support of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government’s Scheme to Support National Organisations 2014-2016.
For more information please contact:
June Shannon,
Communications and Campaigns Office,
Mental Health Reform,
Coleraine House,
Coleraine Street,
Dublin 7.
Tel: 086 171 1920
Tel: 01 874 9468
