Mr. John Farrelly:

A Vision for Change was quite successful in closing down the big institutions. While it also developed a relevant number of community services, the big challenge is to transform those, or else we would be having this conversation every year. We need community services that are not just led by doctors and nurses, because no matter what medication people are on, they will still want to talk to someone. They need education to comply with their medication and understand what it is about. The key for us is applying a policy that allows us to get to Ireland. Ireland has a good opportunity in this area because we are so small compared to other countries, and, therefore, we have the capability to set up these services. There has been a policy drift and its application has not occurred for various reasons. We have gone through a major recession and have heard many other reasons, but the policy must be applied in the Department by the HSE and it must be held to account. I assure the committee that wherever we are given the relevant regulations, we will regulate and create transparency.