Call for extra funding to employ mental health staff

LIFTING the recruitment embargo in the mental health services is futile unless the HSE is given a budget to employ frontline staff, it has been warned.

Director of Mental Health Reform Orla Barry was responding to a pledge made by Mental Health Minister Kathleen Lynch that she is seeking “permission” from the Government to lift the moratorium for psychiatric services.

“Unless the HSE is given the money specifically to recruit, there is no point in the minister saying she will lift the embargo because the money isn’t there to deliver; unfortunately mental health is not a priority and never has been,” Ms Barry said.