Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish Mr. Sullivan well in his work following his appointment. He was before the committee previously when we started this process. He was at some of the first meetings. I also wish Mr. Healy well in his new role as national director with responsibility for community strategy and planning. All the witnesses have an unenviable task ahead of them in the very important work they need to do.

I will try to avoid repeating questions that have already been asked. In his opening statement, Mr. Sullivan referred to tangible service improvements. We appreciate that more funding has been provided but at 6.4% it is far less than it should be. I understand that 11% is the guideline generally worldwide. Could Mr. Sullivan outline the exact tangible service improvements to which he refers?

Mr. Sullivan also spoke about the fact that there was too much focus on day-to-day activities and that the model is being changed. He said we need to focus on long-term planning and change. I agree with the need for long-term planning in mental health provision but we cannot take the focus off day-to-day operations, which is every bit as important.

Mr. Sullivan also spoke about integration with primary care services. I agree with that approach. In a previous meeting we learned that in an ideal world counselling services would be available in a primary care setting, but that does not happen in many areas. I agree there should be integration but I fear we are a long way from it, and while we are waiting to get to that stage there will be some gaps.

Ms O'Connor mentioned that we need to look outside of CAMHS and at working with the other groups that are there at a community level such as Jigsaw. There is no Jigsaw service in my county but we are anxiously awaiting one. Other such community groups that are in Kildare include SpunOut and Hope (D) which are doing really good work. I agree that the intervention needs to be at that level. I welcome what Mr. Ryan said about the videos and CAMHS. I look forward to watching the videos and pointing people in that direction. Parents and schools contact all members and they feel the elusive CAMHS is the answer to all their problems and it is not. We know that is the case. It has worked well for some but many people experience a lot of frustration in accessing CAMHS. It would be helpful if there was more clarity about what it can and cannot do and what other extra supports are available.

I have a specific question on the restructuring. We were given evidence previously that dedicated resources are needed within mental health to drive policy. I read Mr. Tony O'Brien's letter on the restructure but it makes no sense to me to remove the national director for mental health. We must have somebody within the HSE to provide dedicated leadership on delivering and improving mental health services around the country. At a national level who is going to deal with the delivery of mental health services and who will have the authority to consider the different priorities and give direction to the various community healthcare organisations, CHOs? I expect Mr. Ryan currently has that responsibility but I might be wrong in that regard.

Reference was made previously to the dedicated and separate national mental health budget. There is a fear that if the direct authority goes from a national director then the budget would also go and the setting of priorities and expenditure across the country would be affected.