Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It is disappointing the HSE has not arranged any additional services. Before Covid-19, the HSE's services were not coping and there is a clear need for additional services arising from Covid-19. It is disappointing that we are at a point where we hope children will be back at school in September but no work has been done on developing new school-based services to meet that need. I respectfully suggest the HSE needs to get on with that job.

I also want to add to the points that have been made on dual diagnosis. It never made any sense to separate addiction and mental health problems. That is a structural issue for the HSE, which should be resolved. Given the level of mental healthcare need emerging as a result of Covid-19 and what we know about the additional substance abuse and misuse with alcohol, prescription drugs and illicit drugs, surely now more than ever there is a strong case for combining those two services and for stopping the practice of making that false distinction?