Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I ask Dr. Muldoon and Mr. Saunders to comment on that also. Is there an irregularity in terms of payment for medication being granted in some areas but not in others? Mr. Saunders mentioned that the Mental Health Commission has noted a considerable variation in funding depending on geographical area. How has that developed? Is it because of a Minister being from a particular area or is it due to a lack of services such that one area gets more funding than another?

The facility at Linn Dara was mentioned. I ask the witnesses to comment on the fact that beds are being closed there. Why is that being done? It does not make sense to do so if we wish to increase the number of beds available nationwide.

The witnesses addressed transitional services, in particular in regard to CAMHS. The transition of those aged 18 to 20 is a priority in that regard. What is being done for such people? What works and what does not in terms of other models in other jurisdictions? Are we learning from experiences elsewhere? Do the witnesses have any suggestions in that regard?

I have other queries but I am allowed to ask only three questions so I will leave it at that. My main queries regard transitional services, CAMHS and the difficulties which families encounter.

Ms Brennan addressed the difficulties she and her family have experienced. Is it a familiar pattern for families to wonder where to go, who to see and what happens if the services are not there? Those are the first things to strike families. Families have come to me whose son or daughter needs services and respite but refuses to go into respite or avail of services. What should families do in such circumstances, in particular if the child is violent, apart from sectioning the child? I am aware of a case involving a child who was eating off the ground, walking naked indoors and outdoors and had severe mental health problems. Many of the family members themselves end up on anti-depressants. I offer that as an example of families such as Margaret's who do not know where to go. They usually go to politicians but they are the wrong people to whom to go. Doctors probably do not know what to do, hospitals are too busy to deal with them and the Garda can offer only limited advice. Where do such families go? I have asked that question before. It is probably monotonous for those at home watching or listening to the committee proceedings but these are the type of questions to which people need answers.