New mental health services director appointed

A new mental health services director has been appointed by the HSE.

Minister Kathleen Lynch made the announcement this afternoon that Stephen Mulvany will assume the role.

Mr Mulvany previously worked as one of the HSE's Regional Director of Operations.

The announcement has been made despite the fact that the HSE said no decision would come before new legislation for the redesign of mental health services.

Minister of State at the Department of Health, Kathleen Lynch, said that the job has been filled:

"We have a new national director which was recently appointed in terms of mental health," she said.

"That was one of the good things that came out of the vision for change, that there would be a specific director in an office in terms of mental health because it was at such a low point

"Stephen Mulvany has been appointed, a very experienced guy, (and) they need to know both the system and the service and he does."