Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is a bit of both. I feel very privileged to address the committee today. Both of my colleagues from Civil Engagement are very experienced in this area. I probably do not have the same experience. I can only talk about the experience I have had in the charity sector working with the RISE Foundation, which I set up myself, and the lack of resources we have had. We provide a service for family members who have a loved one with an alcohol, drug or gambling problem. Many of these families are in serious crisis with serious mental health issues, particularly partners, mothers, fathers who are suffering horrendously with anxiety and depression. When they come to the RISE Foundation, they are in absolute crisis. We have never received any funding from anybody. We have 50 people attending our service this week alone and all 50 of those service users are in absolute crisis. We have started to partner up with other organisations, such as the addiction service Turas in Dundalk, and the Family Support Network. We really believe in partnering with other organisations.

I can only talk about that experience and apologise if I am not answering the committee's questions.

I can only speak about the lack of resources and how extremely passionate I am about being a voice for the families in question. I try to represent them as best I can. I really do want to work with the Health Service Executive. In fact, it is one of our goals to prove to the executive that we can provide a very good service and replicate the fantastic results we have seen in the evaluations we have done. I am not sure whether that answers the Deputy's question.