The modernisation of mental health services in line with A Vision for Change ’is the responsibility of the HSE and in this regard an implementation planfor the five year period 2009 — 2013 was approved by the HSE Board in April 2009. While the estimated additional cost of the implementation of A Vision for Change is €150 million over 7–10 years, and additional development funding has been provided to the HSE in recent years, the position is that implementation is largely dependent on the reallocation and remodelling of existing resources. Substantial resources are already invested in mental health services; overall spending on these services amounts to an estimated €1 billion annually.
One of the key priorities for mental health in the revised programme for Government, is the use of the proceeds of the sale of psychiatric lands to fund new mental health capital developments. This commitment reflects the recommendation in A Vision for Change that a plan to bring about the closure of all psychiatric hospitals should be drawn up and implemented and that the resources released by these closures should be re-invested in the mental health service. The HSE has disposed of a small number of psychiatric properties in recent years and the proceeds of these sales, which amount to just over €42 million, have been surrendered to the Exchequer. The HSE Mental Health Capital Programme, which will be funded from the proceeds of these and future sales, is under consideration in the context of budget 2010 and I expect to make an announcement imminently.
