Ms Fiona Coyle:

As I said in my opening statement, high-quality services require high-quality investment. That is the fact of the matter. In Ireland, we have a history of underinvestment in our mental health services, so we are starting from a low base. We need to have a plan in place. Through Sláintecare, the Government has committed to spending 10% of the health budget on mental health, but how will we get from where we are to there? That is the question we would like answered.

Money alone is not the solution. It will not achieve the reform that is needed. We need political will and leadership. That is one of the reasons we have been calling for a very senior role within the HSE at director level or above. Key to the role is that its holder would report directly to the CEO of the HSE, drive the reform that is required and provide leadership and strategic direction. If we are serious about giving mental health parity of esteem with physical health, investment and leadership are both necessary if we are to promote and provide better services for individuals across the country.