Mental health services are receiving a declining share of overall health expenditure according to a new report from the National Disability Authority.
The report looks at the current services available in Ireland for people with disabilities and highlights a number of issues that are of particular concern.
Written by Dr Jane Pilinger, the report concludes that the proportion of total health expenditure given to mental health services has declined from over 10% in 1990 to a point where it received less than 7% in 2003.
While Dr Pilinger's report acknowledges that progress has been made in some areas, she found that people with disabilities lack choice and control and that the services available to them can be inadequate and inappropriate and can vary across Health Board areas.
Speaking at the launch of the report this morning, the Chairperson of the National Disability Authority, Angela Kerins, said that the extent to which people with disabilities and their families and carers are unable to access health services is unacceptable.
