budget 2024

Mental health sector ‘concerned’ health budget overrun will divert funds from services

Mental Health Reform urged state to double ‘piecemeal’ mental health funding to 10 per cent of overall health spend

Fiona Coyle, chief executive of Mental Health Reform: “There is a serious risk that critical resources will once again be diverted from mental health services.” Picture: Fergal Phillips.

The mental health sector has sounded the alarm that significant overspending in the Department of Health will divert funding from mental health services in Budget 2024.

In an open letter to the Taoiseach, 60 leaders in voluntary and community mental health organisations warned of the “serious risk” that “critical resources” will be redirected from the sector to bailout the general health service.

Speaking to the Business Post, Fiona Coyle, chief executive of Mental Health Reform, ...