Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Duffy. Deputy O'Loughlin has kindly agreed to allow me to make the first contribution because I have to leave at 2.30 p.m. My input will be more of a statement than a series of questions. While I understand Mr. Duffy's view that the report and its recommendations should be applied right across mental and physical health services, we are aware of the serious challenges and difficulties facing psychiatry. Will Mr. Duffy comment on that? Recently, while travelling on the greenway cycle path in County Waterford, I met seven retired psychiatric nurses, all of whom are younger than me. I asked if they were ever asked to return to the service given that we have such a shortage of psychiatric nurses. They said they were asked to return all the time but would never go back because it would involve working between ten and 12 hours a day in a difficult environment, often in buildings that are not conducive to having people stay in them. Is it part of Mr. Duffy's remit to examine the issue of working hours and the repeated use of the same staff, which has an major impact on their mental health?