Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank, welcome and pay tribute to all the parents for making the sacrifice to be here and, as Senator Kelleher has said, for baring their souls and sharing their stories. It is not easy to do that.

I am struck by three things. There is no joined-up thinking or uniformity of approach, as Senator Ó Céidigh has said. Let us consider having to engage with a different psychiatrist or psychologist on every visit. For adults that would be bad enough, but it is harder for a young and vulnerable teenager or child who is trying to develop trust or a relationship. My first query relates to the issue of joined-up thinking. I listened to the comments about Tusla and CAMHS. What should we do in respect of having joined-up thinking?

My next question is around funding. In the 2017 HSE budget, €853.1 million is allocated to mental health, a 3% increase from 2016. It is 6.1% of the budget. If parents, those who need, use, depend upon and co-exist with the system, have a blank canvas, how do we spend that money? I am conscious that Lauren spoke of waste in the system. What should we spend that money on?

I have read the presentations and heard the powerful and moving testimony of the witnesses here today. Given that we have created Tusla, the child and family agency, and we have CAMHS, what should the committee tell Tusla and CAMHS arising from today's meeting?

My final question is in the context of Senator Freeman's Bill. I listened to Louise's story. When I attended college, I worked as a porter in Cork University Hospital. I have also volunteered with different disability organisations. Cork University Hospital has a wonderful new facility, built in place of the older ground floor facility, that I hope can offer hope to people. Notwithstanding what Louise has said, and we all agree that young people should not be admitted to adult units, there is a view that the legislation, if it is enacted, will do more harm than good. Would the parents be in favour of any flexibility in that type of situation? If a young person, for example, was to present at an emergency department and no bed was available in the child facility, would there be flexibility? I am conscious of Louise's situation and I fully understand what she did. She did what any mother would do. Her bravery should be commended today. I am not patronising. I am being honest because I know people in similar situations. Given Louise's experience, when she was at her most desperate, should there be that flexibility around admissions?

I thank the parents so much. I know it was not easy for them to come here today. The eyes of the nation are watching. They have given us not just information but also hope. It is, as Senator Kelleher has said, about people. Equally, if it can assist one other person to tell their story, then they have done a huge job.