Fianna Fáil is calling for a €37.5m increase in funding for mental health services in the next Budget.

The Opposition party said that there is a staffing crisis in public mental health services, which can only be addressed through increased investment.

Fianna Fáil says the current staffing level for psychiatric services is 75%.

Party spokesperson for Mental Health James Browne said that the inconsistent availability of mental health services around the country also need to be addressed.

“We have also a kind of postcode-lottery system as well when it comes to mental health as well, depending on your geographical as to what services are and are not available,” he said.

“That’s something that has to be addressed as well, so that everybody, no matter where you’re living in Ireland … you are getting the same access to full and proper mental health 24/7 mental health service.

“That’s where we have to get, we have to get there quickly, and the first steps in that will be in this Budget, by providing the necessary funding towards addressing the staffing shortage in our mental healthcare system.”