Lynch hopes to overcome delay in mental health appointment

The delay in appointing a director for mental health services is because Health Minister James Reilly wants to wait until new legislation has been enacted, his junior minister has said.

Kathleen Lynch, Minister with responsibility for mental health, said she hoped to persuade Dr Reilly that “mental health is different”, and that the post was needed immediately and could be appointed outside of legislation the way a children’s tsar was in 2010.

“The minister has said he wants to wait until the legislation defining the new health structures are in place before making appointments,” said Ms Lynch.