Budget offered nothing for mental health sector

The budget of 2016 has allocated €74 million for horses and greyhounds while Minister Kathleen Lynch is “hopeful” of an additional €35 million to help develop and enhance community mental health services in 2016.

As usual the Budget promised little and delivered even less for mental health service, so as expectation was already low, disappointment was avoided.

Minister Lynch further admitted that the mental health service was 1,400 short staffed, with staffing levels having fallen by 20% over the past five years and spending declining from around 7.5% to 6% of the total health budget over the same period.