Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In terms of the oversight and accountability required of Mr. Devane in respect of the full-timers, would he agree that mental health services in particular have been the poor relation when it comes to spending in recent years? I refer to the child and adolescent mental health service which is struggling to respond in a prompt and timely manner to children who are at risk of self harm or suicide and to the long waiting lists for psychologist appointments as approximately 20% of consultant psychiatry posts are unfilled and one third of those in such posts are locums. We have a very unsatisfactory situation with regard to mental health services and provision. There has been a huge reduction in the spend in this area as a percentage of the overall health budget versus what we spent in the 1980s or even ten years ago such that are issues of real concern around mental health in particular. Would Mr. Devane agree with that and has this issue come across his desk yet?