The government has been accused by a Donegal TD of reneging on it’s promise to increase the mental health budget.
Fianna Fail deputy Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher says €35 million was promised to mental health servies in this year’s budget but only €15 million will be spent.
Deputy Gallagher says staffing levels in child and adolescent services are currently 48% below recommended levels and the government needs to prioritise mental health services to improve this number.
This comes just a week after Sinn Fein Donegal TD Pearse Doherty highlighted that a number of under 18’s were waiting up to 15 months for mental health services in the county.
An addiction counselling service for minors was also suspended earlier this year after the post was vacated. It has since been filled on a part time basis.
Deputy Gallagher told Ocean FM news that mental health does not discriminate by age and adequate funding must be provided.
