Gino Kenny TD to call for increase of mental health spending up to WHO recommendation of 12% of Health budget at Oireachtas Sub-Committee on Mental Health today
People Before Profit’s spokesperson on mental health, Gino Kenny TD, will today question Minister Mary Butler on when the government will increase the budget for mental health at the Oireachtas Committee on Mental Health.
The PBP TD will call for the government to increase the state’s spend on mental health services from 5.1%, as cited by Mental Health Reform, up to at least 12% of the health budget, which is in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO).
He will also question the Minister on when the government will achieve the mental health staffing levels contained in ‘A Vision for Change’ and what time frame will apply to delivery of those commitments.
He will also ask the Minister to comment on mental health services within the primary care, community and voluntary sectors which are fundamental to A ‘Vision for Change’. Specifically he will ask how much of additional funding will be allocated to fund the additional mental health professionals urgently required in these sectors?
