Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To the best of my knowledge, approximately 65% of the prison population have mental health issues. I know the Garda do not put people in prison, that is the job of the Judiciary. It is incredibly challenging for the Garda to be able to link with the services in what Mr. Todd calls the local partnership structure. That will require a lot of work to help more people, especially young people, to stay out of prison and stay out of trouble. Co-operation is required with other service providers. However, so many of the services leave so much to be desired. I refer, for example, to the mental health services in Wexford, which have been severely criticised. They are not nearly good enough. Mr. Leahy spoke about housing earlier. No one can expect the Garda to find housing for people who are in need because the Government cannot find them at the moment. There is insufficient housing for people who are in emergency housing situations in the country today for various reasons. Mr. Todd referred to local partnership structures. Will the Garda form teams with the various service providers? Are they involved already or will a structure be put in place whereby there is more co-operation between them or is that a step too far?