Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank our witnesses for attending and for their work and advocacy on mental health services. If Covid has taught us anything, it has shown us the importance of family, community and interacting with people so it is no surprise that this pandemic and the restrictions it has imposed have caused mental health issues in people. The witnesses would not be unique, and I think they would appreciate this, in advocating for extra money at this time of the year. I acknowledge that it is very merited. Ms Coyle mentioned an additional €20 million to maintain existing services. What would that be directed towards?

In terms of the model of service outside of the traditional nine-to-five, five-day-a-week service, how do the witnesses see emergency and weekend services and the need in rural communities? Where would the additional funding they are seeking to improve those services, particularly in rural areas, which I think they would appreciate are more difficult to provide for in terms of services outside traditional nine-to-five services, be directed?