Mental health funding imbalance
Deputy McGrath argued that spending on medication far outweighed spending on counselling and psychological supports, citing committee figures on the mental health budget. Deputy Daly replied that medication decisions are clinical, the budget had risen substantially, and recruitment rather than funding was the main obstacle.
A very good example has been set this morning and I am sure Deputy Healy-Rae, or Deputy Mattie McGrath, will follow it.
Comment on this
I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I have no cap. It has been reported today that the HSE spends approximately €400 million per year on medication for the treatment of mental illness. At the same time, a mere €10 million per year is spent on psychological and counselling care services. This is a huge imbalance. The second interim report of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Future of Mental Health Care indicates mental health options get €917 million per annum, or a mere 6.3% of the overall budget this year. This is a desperate imbalance given all the problems being raised by all of us and being experienced throughout the country. What will the Tánaiste and the Government do to correct this imbalance and help people who are suffering with mental illness? There is a huge imbalance.
Comment on this
As the Deputy is aware, medication is a clinical issue. The Minister does not have any say whatsoever in the medicating of patients who have mental illness. This is an issue on which I cannot comment.
Comment on this
It is a decision taken by clinicians, such as consultant psychiatrists, as to what medication is necessary for patients. With regard to spending in the area of mental health, as the Tánaiste pointed out earlier in his contribution, the budget is €910 million. It has increased by €200 million since 2012. It is not the need for resources or for financial support from the Government that is holding back the delivery of services. An issue I have addressed here on numerous occasions is recruitment, and the Tánaiste referred to the fact that 2,000 positions have been approved and funded but the people with the necessary skill set are not out there. There is a worldwide shortage of consultant psychiatrists, which is delaying the delivery of these services. We need to look more at earlier interventions. We need to look to schools, and the Minister, Deputy Bruton, and I are working in this area to build services in schools and build more proactive services at primary care level and not at the acute level.