Ireland Spents Less Than Half The WHO Recommended Amount On Mental Health.

Wednesday, 22 September 2021 09:34

Mental Health Reform says just 5% of the health budget goes to mental health.

Ireland spends less than half what the World Health Organisation recommends on mental health.

Mental Health Reform says around 5 per cent of the health budget goes on psychiatry - while the W-H-O suggests 12 per cent.

It will tell the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health, on which sits Kildare North Fine Gael TD, Bernard Durkan, that government should increase that to 10 per cent in next month's Budget.

Professor of psychiatry in Trinity College Dublin, Brendan Kelly, says extra investment's badly needed.

Watch LIVE as The Joint Committee on Health is meeting with @MHReform @MentalHealthIrl to discuss significant need for investment in mental health and how to respond to the increased need for service provisions. #seeforyourself https://t.co/OM4LMASdeV https://t.co/SQg91drHRE
— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) September 22, 2021

€10 million allocated for better mental health services during Covid has remained unspent.

Advocates say it comes as Ireland’s mental health supports are seriously under funded.

Paul O’Donoghue reports from the Oireachtas health committee.
.

More from National News

Sharp Rise In M9 Collisions With Garda Call-Outs Up Year-On-Year

The figures, provided by An Garda Síochána, show a sharp increase compared to previous years.
Councillor Seeks Clarity On How Often Nightclubs and Late Bars In Naas Are Inspected For Fire Risks

Kildare Fire Service says all venues applying to renew their annual dance licence through the District Court were inspected in advance of the hearings.
New Figures From CSO Reveal How Much International Protection Applicants Earn Compared To Average Worker In Ireland

The data also found that a majority of asylum seekers entered the workforce once permitted to do so
Unpaid Eight-Month Work And Training Placement For Adults With Disabilities Branded "Extremely Unfair"

One Kildare mother told Kfm News that their child had been attending structured placements each weekday, typically from around 9:30am to 3pm, and in some cases carrying out tasks for up to two hours at a time - but are not receiving any form of payment.
Department Of Education Defends Kildare SNA Cuts Amid Claims Of Reduced Need At Some Schools

They said there "are many reasons why the level of need for SNA support in schools may fluctuate including falling enrolments, reduced or increased care needs and changing demographics as children move from primary to post-primary schools".
Naas Nurses Threaten Escalation As Staffing Row Deepens

Nurses spoke to Kfm News this week about issues they are dealing with on a daily basis.
Driving Tests Face Disruption As RSA Testers To Strike Next Week

The driving test centre in Naas is the only driving test centre in Kildare and attracts candidates from Kildare, Dublin, Wicklow and Laois.
Jury Delivers Not Guilty By Reason Of Insanity Verdict In Ballyfin Demesne Strangling Case

31-year-old Henry McGowan, from Brooklyn, New York, was found to be having a psychotic episode when he strangled his father to death at the 5-star hotel.