Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The most important thing in relation to Sharing the Vision is that it is cross-departmental. That is very important. Once upon a time, people believed that if they had poor mental health or a mental illness they were dealt with by the Department of Health, the HSE or a local general practitioner but much of the time the issues by which the person is compounded are, for example, challenges in regard to social welfare, homelessness or a job. We have been working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in particular in regard to supports for people with mental illness and also older people to ensure that people can have the right sized house that suits their needs. We have also been working very closely, by way of a recently established committee which I will ask Mr. Hempenstall to speak about later, with the Department of Justice in regard to prisoner releases and ensuring the correct wraparound supports in terms of mental health are available to people on release. At a minimum, on release, they should have an appointment to see a mental health clinician, a place to live and a medical card. I invite Mr. Hempenstall to speak on the work we have been doing through the committee, which is chaired by former Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch.