Kildare councillor speaks out over ‘critical underfunding‘ of mental health services throughout Ireland

A Kildare-based councillor has spoken out over what he describes as 'critical underfunding' of mental health services nationwide.

Pointing to data from the Mental Health Reform's Pre-Budget Submission 2024, Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender has expressed his concern over the state of mental health funding, and the increasing demand for mental health services in Ireland.

Cllr Pender said that the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic has seen a surge in individuals seeking mental health care.

He elaborated: "Alarmingly, many of Ireland's youth are not accessing timely or appropriate resources, underlining the pressing need for a robust mental health infrastructure.

"Mental Health Reform and its 81 associated organizations have expressed grave concerns over the stagnant funding, which has hovered between 5 per cent and 6 per cent of Ireland's total health budget since 2020.

"While the government's own standards stipulate a much higher allocation, the current funding sits at a paltry 5.1 per cent."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender. Pic supplied.

Cllr Pender also highlighted the CEO of Mental Health Reform, Fiona Coyle, in his comments.

He said: "Fiona Coyle recently underscored the role of the voluntary and community sector in mental health service delivery; despite its significance, state funding remains woefully inadequate, exacerbating the challenges faced by these critical organizations.

"The Pre-Budget Submission 2024 by Mental Health Reform offers a stark comparison with international standards. While countries like the UK allocate between 13 per cent to 14 per cent of their health budget to mental health, Ireland lags far behind.

"This disparity underscores the need for the government to prioritize mental health and heed calls for an additional €115 million investment for Budget 2024."

He continued: "The consistent underfunding of our mental health services is not just a budgetary concern but a profound societal issue.

"The mental health budget's stasis, especially since 2020, is unacceptable, and we must address this with urgency and commitment."

"The recent budgetary concerns in the broader health sector further emphasize the need for dedicated mental health funding.

"With controversies surrounding health overspends and potential diversions from mental health services, the situation demands immediate attention.

"Now, more than ever, investing in mental health is not just a necessity: it's an imperative.

"We all have a reason, and we all are a reason to invest in mental health," he concluded.