Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Of course the Cabinet committee on health can deal with a particular issue. Deputy Martin asked a question earlier on about the allocation of money to the mental health area. I support his specific suggestion that there should be a subhead dealing with how it is proposed to spend this money and the effectiveness of such expenditure. We have had ring-fenced allocations for mental health for some years, but I do not think it has ever been possible to spend the amount that was allocated. When money is in the budget, there is a need to identify and monitor the outcome and the output of the spend. I am answering the Deputy's question by confirming that the issues he raised are relevant to the general work of the Cabinet committee on health. We can talk about these particular areas at our meetings.

An increase of nearly €500 million was announced in the Estimates for 2017. This will bring the total spend to €14.6 billion. The Minister for Health has pointed out that this is the largest allocation ever made to the health area, taking into account that various Departments were associated with health and children over the years. An additional €1 billion is being provided for health spending compared to the budget for 2016. This represents an increase of 7.4%. Investment priorities include the development of the national children's hospital and the national plan for radiation oncology. The new national forensic mental health service facility is being built in Portrane. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, is responsible for this project. An additional €3 million is being provided to support drugs and social inclusion measures. Some €5 million is being provided for the establishment of the Healthy Ireland fund. This fund, for which the Minister of State, Deputy Corcoran Kennedy, is responsible, is important for the well-being and outlook of our people. It will lead to enormous savings over a five-year or ten-year period. The €35 million that is being provided for new mental health services in 2017 is in addition to the €35 million that was provided in 2016.

In the absence of the Minister for Health, who is now present, we were talking about a specific subhead to identify the spend and output. That is an issue of which most people would be supportive. This will enable improvements and better outcomes for the mental health services across a number of age groups and specialties and it will assist the continuing development of an integrated approach to youth mental health and suicide reduction initiatives. As Deputy Adams knows, these are particularly tragic and common, unfortunately. This is the reason the money was put in by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform following discussions with the Minister for Health and this is why we have a specific Minister of State post to deal with the mental health area.

I hope those responsible get the message out. It is important to talk to young people in colleges and secondary schools and to get the message out that those who have difficulties from time to time should not be afraid to talk, ask or tell people about it. There has never been more help available. Yet people, given the world we live in, have never felt more lonely, isolated or vulnerable. It is a case of facing up to a tragic phenomenon and encouraging all young people to work with those in their age groups and to highlight that if something is wrong, help is available. That is why there is a specific allocation in the health budget for mental health. That is why there is a specifically appointed Minister of State to work with all of the organisations, including voluntary and NGO organisations as well as statutory agencies to deal with this in the best way possible. If only one life is saved as a result, is that not a benefit?

I always try to say to students in secondary schools in particular that if one in four is to be affected by mental health challenges at some stage during their lives, then it is only right and proper that the State should put facilities in place to encourage these young people and let them know and understand that they can use these facilities and opportunities without fear, anxiety or concern. That is what they are there for. Moreover, just as people get physically sick, so too can they have mental challenges. Young people should understand that. There is nothing new in this. However, it should be understood that we want to help them in so many ways and there are so people who can do that. It is a case of not being afraid to say it, tell it or ask for it. In that sense we are keen to continue to work with them at all times.

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