Lobby group concerned about mental health appointments
TDs have been issued an end-of-term postcard on the progress made on mental health.
Pressure group Mental Health Reform said that it is concerned that doctors, psychologists and social workers have not yet been appointed to community teams, despite the fact that the HSE has committed to them in its Service Plan.
The Government said that the staff will be in place by September.
However, director of Mental Health Reform Orla Barry said that the budget overrun with the health service is worrying.
"There's a huge concern, given the overrun in the HSE budget, that obviously any monies that are not spent are seen to be savings and I think that certainly the time saving on the €35m at this point is three-quarters of a year," she said.
"But Mental Health Reform is absolutely committed to these posts are put in place."
