Financing is a critical factor in ensuring the optimal development and delivery of a mental health system. It is the mechanism by which plans and policies are translated into action through the effective and efficient allocation of resources.

1. 1. Analysis of the Ireland's mental health service financial model.

2. 2. Map mental health service delivery system to understand resource allocation.

3. 3. Review mental health policy and planning priorities in Ireland with respect to current financial model.

4. 4. Evaluate alternative financial models and their potentisl applicability to Ireland.

Analysis of financing model will facilitate and enable development of innovative recommendations to improve mental health service financial model and hence, by extension, mental health service delivery in Ireland.

Review of literature through electronic databases, hardcopy journals and other relevant sources. Analysis and evaluation of Irish financial model and assessment of potentiality of other possible models to improve Irish mental health service delivery.

Although a report on the financial management of the Irish Health system exists, there is no reliable study/report dealing exclusively with the mental health system. There is a lack of clarity and understanding as to the suitability of the current Irish financial model in optimising mental health service delivery. The current financial model risks perpetuating a two tier mental health system.

More work is needed to properly assess and evaluate the current Irish financial model. International best practices in financing mental health services should be adopted where relevant.