Mr. Martin Rogan:

In recent months, we have seen the rapid adoption of a range of technologies. As the Deputy says, we have all become very conversant with Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, Microsoft Teams, etc. These have been very useful tools. The technology can do certain things that human services cannot easily do with regard to availability, making geography irrelevant, providing a low threshold of access, proactively providing information that people can tailor and dynamic signposting. In our organisation we have hosted conferences for families. We have provided training for older people's services and a range of partners across the community and voluntary sector. The technology can do many things but we must be mindful of its limitations. Some of those are to do with the individual, who may not be comfortable with these technologies or may not have access to them. There can be a digital divide. To ensure the reach of our organisation's messaging we found ourselves buying space in provincial newspapers in areas where we knew broadband coverage was not sufficient for people to access our website. There is a range of new materials on the website. In the next ten days, we will be hosting an international conference which was originally due to be in Kilkenny. Colleagues from all over Europe, perhaps 500 or more, will be tuning in. The technology confers certain benefits but there are very real limitations.

As has been said, individuals are sometimes cautious of mental health services or reluctant to avail of them. Sometimes family members are very concerned and ask how they can make sure that their son, daughter or family member is seen. That simply cannot happen when a person is in great distress, is actively unwell or declines service. In some cases, we simply cannot reach out.

Good quality mental healthcare is about creating a therapeutic alliance between a skilled professional and the person availing of the service. We are providing more and more peer-led services through co-production. Almost half of the staff of our organisation is composed of people who have recovered from significant mental health needs and are now providing educational programmes and a range of different activities through a network of recovery colleges. There is very little that can substitute for that human contact and presence. We also know that people sometimes find it more comfortable to avail of services on their own terms and in their own time. Quite deep psychotherapeutic assistance can be offered online. However, this presupposes that the person has a private space at home, has access to technology and will not be interrupted. Moreover, if a person becomes unsafe or unwell, the technology does not allow us to reach out, hold that situation and keep it safe.

We also recognise the benefits of technology with regard to inpatient admissions for young people in child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, units. Many of these patients have not seen their parents since March. That is a precautionary measure which has kept them safe, but it is a huge sacrifice to ask of young people. Skype and FaceTime have been a bridge, but it is not quite the same as being in the same room as one's child when he or she is going through a period of distress.

There are very real limitations. We are learning more and more about this technology and some of the clever things it can do. We need to know when we can apply that tool most effectively and when it becomes a barrier to the formation of the therapeutic relationship which is key to quality mental healthcare.