3176. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if there is an ongoing recruitment embargo within mental health services; the posts affected by this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55129/26]

The Government’s clear commitment to enhancing mental health services is shown by significant mental health funding increases in recent years. Budget 2026 saw a record allocation for mental health services of almost €1.6 billion, up over 50% since I assumed the role of Minister for Mental Health in 2020.

The additional funding for current expenditure in Budget 2026 for the Health Vote is over €1.5 billion, bringing the total current allocation to €25.8 billion. This includes funding to maintain existing levels of service and for new service developments, including funding for the recruitment of 300 additional whole time equivalent staff within Mental Health in 2026.

This is the sixth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This increase represents a significant investment which will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision, and our national suicide and self-harm reduction strategy Connecting for Life, across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, through to specialist mental health services.

There is no recruitment embargo in place for HSE Mental Health services. The HSE has introduced enhanced financial controls as part of the measures being implemented to address its financial position. Under these arrangements, all recruitment proposals, including both new and replacement posts, are subject to additional scrutiny and approval. Proposals are reviewed and prioritised at regional level before being considered for approval through a national process, with final approval resting with the HSE Chief Executive Officer.

The purpose of these arrangements is to ensure recruitment is aligned with service priorities, patient safety requirements and available funding. Recruitment continues to take place, with priority given to frontline, patient-facing and other critical posts necessary to maintain safe service delivery. There is therefore no blanket restriction on Mental Health posts; proposals are considered on a case-by-case basis having regard to service need, affordability and national priorities. It should be pointed out that the funding allocated in Budget 2026 for the 300 new posts for mental health services is ringfenced and must be spent on the recruitment of those posts.

I will ensure that the significant service improvements that I secured for mental health under Budget 2026 continues to be progressed and I intend that further enhancement for this key care programme will take place under Budget 2027.