Menu
22/04/2016
'No Surprise' Mental Health Budget Being Reallocated - FF
Fianna Fáil has said that it is "no surprise" that €35m allocated for mental health services in 2016 will be spent in other areas of the health service.
Criticizing the news, the party's Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher said: "The outgoing Government has consistently raided the budget for mental health. Despite promises that the money would be ring-fenced, the HSE 2016 Service Plan claimed to have earmarked €35m for mental health services; it failed to include any details as to how and where this money will be spent. Instead there were vague references to"further specific initiatives."
"Fine Gael and Labour failed to fight to protect the mental health budget. For the past five years they have delayed funding allocations, and in 2014 failed to honour them completely – the €15m shortfall that year has never been made up.
"It's simply not good enough for a solemn commitment in a Programme for Government to be broken so often and it was fundamentally disingenuous for the Government and the HSE to announce €35m extra for mental health while knowing full well such funding would never be provided.
"We need to properly fund our mental health services. The current funding levels are insufficient to deliver the staffing levels envisaged by A Vision for Change. Mental health staffing levels are around 75% lower than what was recommended in that strategy – and this is one of a number of key challenges that must be addressed in coming years."
(MH/LM)
Criticizing the news, the party's Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher said: "The outgoing Government has consistently raided the budget for mental health. Despite promises that the money would be ring-fenced, the HSE 2016 Service Plan claimed to have earmarked €35m for mental health services; it failed to include any details as to how and where this money will be spent. Instead there were vague references to"further specific initiatives."
"Fine Gael and Labour failed to fight to protect the mental health budget. For the past five years they have delayed funding allocations, and in 2014 failed to honour them completely – the €15m shortfall that year has never been made up.
"It's simply not good enough for a solemn commitment in a Programme for Government to be broken so often and it was fundamentally disingenuous for the Government and the HSE to announce €35m extra for mental health while knowing full well such funding would never be provided.
"We need to properly fund our mental health services. The current funding levels are insufficient to deliver the staffing levels envisaged by A Vision for Change. Mental health staffing levels are around 75% lower than what was recommended in that strategy – and this is one of a number of key challenges that must be addressed in coming years."
(MH/LM)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 November 2019
New Dedicated Mental Health Phone Line Launched
A new dedicated phone line for mental health has been launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly.
New Dedicated Mental Health Phone Line Launched
A new dedicated phone line for mental health has been launched by An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Minister for Health Simon Harris, and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly.
10 October 2022
Swann Announces New Regional Mental Health Service
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced new Regional Mental Health Service in Northern Ireland – one of the key enabling actions contained within the Mental Health Strategy published in June 2021.
Swann Announces New Regional Mental Health Service
Health Minister Robin Swann has announced new Regional Mental Health Service in Northern Ireland – one of the key enabling actions contained within the Mental Health Strategy published in June 2021.
11 October 2013
Spending On Mental Health Services Must be Ring-Fenced – Neville
Fine Gael Limerick TD and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, has called for the spending on mental health services to be ring-fenced in next week's Budget. Deputy Neville was speaking at the 17th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology, which was held in L'Derry on Thursday.
Spending On Mental Health Services Must be Ring-Fenced – Neville
Fine Gael Limerick TD and President of the Irish Association of Suicidology, Dan Neville, has called for the spending on mental health services to be ring-fenced in next week's Budget. Deputy Neville was speaking at the 17th Annual Conference of the Irish Association of Suicidology, which was held in L'Derry on Thursday.
29 April 2016
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
Sinn Féin Condemns Decision To Cut Mental Health Budget
A decision by the government to remove €12 million from the mental health budget has been condemned by Sinn Féin's TD, Dessie Ellis. Speaking ahead of a protest held on Thursday, Deputy Ellis said: "People suffering with mental health issues are strong, they deal with great pressures every day but they need our support to survive and recover.
25 August 2015
Govt Called To Provide Additional Funding For Mental Health Services
The Mental Health Reform is calling on the Government to provide a minimum of €35 million additional funding for mental health services. Mental health activists from across Dublin have joined Mental Health Reform at Leinster House to launch a campaign for mental health funding in Budget 2016.
Govt Called To Provide Additional Funding For Mental Health Services
The Mental Health Reform is calling on the Government to provide a minimum of €35 million additional funding for mental health services. Mental health activists from across Dublin have joined Mental Health Reform at Leinster House to launch a campaign for mental health funding in Budget 2016.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
