Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their attendance. I appreciate Mr. Kane's enthusiasm and down to earth approach. I also welcome his statement acknowledging improvements in services. While there have been some improvements, the reason the committee was established is that there have not been enough improvements and we are committed to improving mental health services.

I tried to note the names of members of the oversight group but I was unable to write all of them down. Will Mr. Kane circulate to the committee a list of the members' names and some background information on them? I noted the names of three doctors, namely, Dr. Philip Dodd, Dr. Amanda Burke and Dr. Fiona Keogh. Are they all psychiatrists or does the group include a psychologist?

I agree it is necessary to have primary care and general practice represented on the oversight group. However, it should also include a nursing representative, either a registered nurse or a physician assistant. As front-line staff, they deal daily with what goes on and should be represented on the group. I appreciate, however, that the group will not be able to function properly if it is too large.

I would like the oversight group to examine the issue of 24-7 emergency admission to mental health units. As we all know, people with mental illness do not always have an episode, as it were, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. I know many people who have experienced difficulty accessing emergency inpatient care.

I would also like the group to examine the issue of funding. Significant funding is provided for mental health. Some would argue it is not enough and I accept there is always scope for more money to be provided for all sectors. Funding for HSE mental health services and other organisations doing the same work is allocated to the top of the organisation, so to speak. If, for argument's sake, €100,000 is provided to an organisation, how much of this sum finds its way down to the service user?

How much of it is lost on the journey? I would love the matter to be considered. I believe a lot of money goes in but I do not believe that all of the money is used on the front line to benefit service users. I do not know if that is something that the group has considered but I would love if it would include the matter in the review. I thank the witnesses for their time and enthusiasm.