Mental health funding restoration
Robert Troy asks how the restored €12 million for mental health will be used and whether recruitment assumptions changed; the Minister says it will support a programme including staffing and other urgent needs.
I welcome that the Government has changed the €12 million cut to mental health services. When the cut was announced, it was indicated that this was not a cut but rather a "time-sensitive saving" as relevant personnel could not be recruited. If the relevant personnel could not be recruited four weeks ago, what has happened since meaning that relevant personnel can now be recruited? Will the money be spent on a different element under mental health? If that happens, it would also be very welcome. Will the Minister confirm where the additional €12 million will be spent?
Over three and a half years ago, the Minister's previous Government cut the mobility allowance for people with a disability. At the time, a review was promised for completion within a number of months. We are three and a half years on but we are still awaiting the publication of the health (transport support) Bill. It is included in the programme published a number of days ago but will the Minister indicate what priority this will be given and when it will come before the House?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising the matter. There is no doubt the restoration of the mental health budget is universally welcomed, if one listens to the debate here. It puts the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, in a position to develop a programme and it will obviously include recruitment of staff. As the Deputy notes, it can also consider other areas. I know the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, will develop her plan to respond with this additional resource where I know the need is huge. There is no doubt about that. It is hoped the heads of the health transport Bill referred to by the Deputy will be available in July.