Dr. Joseph Duffy:

I thank the Deputy for his question and for his support of Jigsaw over a considerable period, particularly in Clondalkin and its surrounding areas. As he will know and other Deputies will probably be aware, there has been a significant surge in demand and need for support across all of the Jigsaw services. We suspended face-to-face services on 12 March but, from today, we will be able to again roll out those services. It is particularly important to state that, given the significant increase in demand - there has been a 200% increase in those seeking support through our e-mental health platforms - we have worked very hard in recent months to provide phone, video and online support.

In regard to support offered in Dublin south-west in particular, we are providing support in Tallaght which will cover all of the south-west Dublin area. We had planned to open outreach support in the Clondalkin area in April but, as a result of Covid-19, we obviously had to suspend that face-to-face support. Our plan is to roll it out and continue to do so. From next week, we will be able to provide face-to-face support in the Dublin south-west area. We are currently able to provide phone, video and online support and have been able to do so since March.