351. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that additional funding will be provided for residential placements for persons with enduring mental health issues in budget 2017, with a particular emphasis on placements for dual diagnosis patients as promised in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29234/16]

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Helen McEntee): The amount allocated to mental health services under the HSE’s National Service Plan will increase by €41 million, or just over 5%, to €826 million for 2016. This represents a net increase of €115 million to the mental health Budget since 2012.

The Department of Health has provided start-up funding for the HSE’s ‘Dual Diagnosis’ clinical programme in 2016 addressing those service users with Mental Health difficulties and Substance Misuse problems. A Clinical Lead is in the process of being appointed together with a Programme Manager for this Programme. The Primary Care Division has already appointed a National Clinical Lead for the Addiction Services to improve its response to drug and alcohol abuse at Primary Care level and this Clinical Lead will work with the soon to be appointed Mental Health Clinical Lead to develop a cohesive programme for those with a dual diagnosis.

  The overarching aim of the national programme is to standardise quality evidence-based practice across the Mental Health Services. The Programme will bring together clinical disciplines and enable them to share innovative solutions to deliver greater benefits to every user of HSE services. The Programmes are based on three main objectives:

  - To improve the quality of care we deliver to all users of HSE services;

  - To improve access to all services; and

  - To improve cost effectiveness.

  In addition, intensive dual diagnosis addiction and mental health in-reach programmes for homeless people will be supported from an overall additional €2 million funding allocation for homeless mental health needs this year.

  In relation to the forthcoming Budget, the Department of Health has liaised with the HSE to identify and agree the priority areas for funding for mental health going forward into 2017.