Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 7 November 2023

Committee on Mental Health

Mental Health Care for Migrants and Ethnic Minorities: Discussion

Mr. Patrick Reilly:

Is there a hierarchy here whereby when one Department makes a request from another, it is not well received? They would be forgiven for thinking that way. Similarly, when we try to support Travellers, for example, that involves working to try to identify the go-to person. We deal with people who want an immediate fix and immediate support. What power have we? We make phone calls and we send the emails. I say to Travellers that I cannot promise anything other than that I will do my best but it does not mean anything will happen. We need to move past that stage.