Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Based on what everyone has said, it is fair to say that we are starting in the wrong place where mental health services and funding are concerned. Many people have stated that mental health comprises 7% of health spending, which falls short of the 12% minimum called for by the WHO. I would like to commend the witnesses for their work, advocacy and service provision. Web-based services are limited by geography, Internet access and privacy, so face-to-face care is often necessary. We all fear that people suffering from adverse childhood experiences and older people who find themselves in bad situations will have had much worse experiences when cut off from school, work or other means of escape.

In the long term they will require more services.

My first question is on dual diagnosis, addictions particularly drugs and alcohol and the crossover with mental health. Very often these people fall between services. That happens at the best of times and it is obviously possibly worse at the moment. They become a disaster for themselves, their family and the State services, particularly the Garda. What are Mr. Rogan's views on the protocols, resources and possibly legislation required to ensure that the no-wrong-door approach to access to services is put into operation?