Following the release of the budget 2008 by the Minister of Finance, the Irish Mental Health Coalition has called for clarification by Government of its funding for the development of mental health services in Ireland.

In 2006 the Government endorsed the new mental health policy 'A Vision for Change' and committed to responding to the resource allocation requirements of that policy. 'A Vision for Change' required a minimum of an additional 25 million euro in current expenditure for a six-year period to allow full implementation of the objectives outlined in the policy. This commitment was realised in 2006 and 2007, but to date there is no clear evidence that this money was actually spent on mental health services and responses by the HSE to parliamentary questions seeking specific information on this point have failed to answer the question. To make matters worse, it now seems that there is no additional funding in 2008 allocated for the implementation of 'A Vision for Change'.

The Irish Mental Health Coalition notes the comments by Minister Jimmy Devins that the HSE will proceed with the recruitment of additional child and adolescent multidisciplinary teams. While these are welcome, it is the Coalition's understanding that the resource allocation for these teams has already been given in the 2006 and 2007 budgets.

According to John Saunders, Chair of the Irish Mental Health Coalition, "We note with dismay that there is no development allocation of significant funding in the 2008 budget for mental health services. The consequence of this lack of action on behalf of the Government is that any possibility of the full implementation of 'A Vision for Change' by the HSE has now been thwarted by the lack of investment. This is unacceptable and we wish to know why the Government has suddenly decided not to live up to its promise."

Mr Saunders said "The Irish Mental Health Coalition calls on Government to act now. Do not break your promise. Do not neglect or abandon 'A Vision for Change'."

Mr Saunders continued by saying "We understand that not all of the money allocated in 2006/2007 for mental health services has been spent. We demand from the HSE a clear financial account of where the money has gone. In the interest of openness, transparency and accountability we intend on pursuing this relentlessly through the freedom of information legislation."

The Irish Mental Health Coalition does welcome the additional 124 million euro being made available for social housing in Budget 2008. Many people with severe and enduring mental health problems have accommodation difficulties and often find themselves living in substandard private rented accommodation or remaining in their family home. The Irish Mental Health Coalition hopes that this additional investment in social housing will increase the opportunity for people with mental health difficulties to avail of the local authority housing.

The Irish Mental Health Coalition is also extremely concerned that despite a repeated call by many organisations around the country, there has been no additional development funding given to cope with the problem of suicide in Ireland. The consequence of this decision means that many voluntary groups at local and regional level will continue to struggle to provide basic and essential services to those people at risk of suicide and deliberate self-harm.