That figure is nationwide but impacts Kildare and surrounding counties.
A recent audit by the Sallins-based Psychiatric Nurses' Association has shown there are 700 nursing staff vacancies in mental health services across the country.
The PNA said that staff recruitment and retention is now impacting services in every part of the country, including in Kildare and over the border in South/West Dublin.
General Secretary of the PNA Peter Hughes said there is a lot of reliance on overtime and agency staff.
Mr Hughes joined Eoin Beatty on this morning's Kildare Today programme.