Mental health funding
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae called for a major increase in mental health funding and services in budget 2017. The Taoiseach said mental health remained an absolute priority and referred to an upcoming Private Members’ motion.
The programme for Government states:
One in four of us will develop a difficulty with our mental health at some stage in our lives. The mental health budget will be increased annually during the lifetime of this new Government.
I do not believe that the Government, in the first term of the new Dáil, has done enough for people who suffer from mental health issues or has got to grips with targeting these issues from a young age. I call on the Taoiseach to ensure that, in budget 2017, funding is vastly increased to this sector and additional services are provided.
Comment on this
As the Deputy knows, the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, is dealing with this specifically. There is a Private Members' motion tomorrow in the House and I am sure that there will be a good discussion on that. Please understand that this remains an absolute priority for the Government. The Deputy is right, in that the figures indicate that one in four people will at some stage during their lives, or on more than one occasion, suffer with the challenges of mental health. It is an issue that is widespread throughout the country and affects every community and every sector. Obviously, the Deputy might have an opportunity to contribute on the debate tomorrow evening in the House.