Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have been joined by Deputy Lahart and Senator Dolan. I have one more question before I hand over to them. My final question is on an issue about which I am very passionate. In what way is the Department of Health ensuring that mental health service users' views and concerns are being taken into account? This is important. What steps are being taken to improve access to peer support services and what improvements are being made to ICT systems which would allow for collating feedback, input, complaints, etc., to our mental health services? Specifically, in what way is the Department listening to people with lived experiences? It is vital we hear the voices of those with lived experiences. It is important for the Department in particular to hear those voices. The private meetings the committee held this year were very powerful. They impacted us and brought us together as a committee. Listening to the lived experiences of people has been very powerful. Has the Department been dealing with that in any way? Following the Minister of State's response, I will call Deputy Lahart.