It has been revealed that the HSE is paying €4.4 million a year for mental health treatments in the UK.
The Sunday Times reports that 13 patients have been transferred to the UK for specialist psychiatric treatment.
The patients were moved abroad for periods of between two months and almost 14 years.
The HSE told the newspaper that they fund referrals to specialist units in the UK when the care needs of individual children or adults cannot be met in Ireland.
Fianna Fail says these cases highlight the lack of investment in specialist mental health care available in Ireland.
The opposition party says money put aside for these services is being used for other areas of the health service.
Deputy Colm Keaveney says that the mental health budget is being 'pickpocketed' by senior Government ministers:
