The Government is being criticised for a lack of funding for mental health services.

Fianna Fail says more funding is needed for community services in order to reduce the rate of suicides, especially among young people.

The party says the mental health budget is being pick-pocketed for use in other areas of the health service.

Fianna Fail is also speaking out against the HSE paying €4.4m euro a year for Irish patients to receive specialist mental health care in the UK.

The party's spokesperson on mental health Colm Keaveney says, vulnerable children suffering as a result: