Mental health funding
Deputy Buckley challenged the Government’s funding for mental health services and asked for more money. The Taoiseach said yes and cited a rising annual mental health budget, reaching €912 million next year.
On page 66 of the programme for Government, the Government committed to increasing funding for mental health services, but we have once again only seen €15 million in additional funding this year, with €20 million carried over from last year. My question is simple: will the Government commit to spending and providing extra money for mental health services?
Comment on this
The short answer is "Yes", but I will give the Deputy the figures, which I have here.
Comment on this
I will give the Deputy the figures for the total mental health funding over the past number of years: 2012, some €711 million; 2013, some €737 million; 2014, some €766 million; 2015, some €791.8 million; 2016, some €826.6 million; and 2017, some €853.1 million. For next year, it goes up to €912 million. Those are the facts. In the past six years, that is an increase of €200 million, which is a 25% increase in six years. That will continue.