Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Before I call the next Deputy, I have a query. Regarding the idea of a structure to co-ordinate mental health issues between Departments, mention was made of the importance of tying the different approaches together. Do the witnesses have a model or structure in mind that they believe might work? I was previously a member of the all-party committee dealing with disability issues. Representatives appeared before that committee from the Department of the Taoiseach and the other Departments involved in the area. Civil servants also came before the committee from all Departments and they were also tied into the committee. In addition, they came back to the committee with ideas they had regarding how to move that structure forward. As a group, do the witnesses have any ideas in that respect?

Early intervention was also mentioned. We are much better now at recognising children on various spectrums, etc., and, as a society, we are identifying more instances of such needs to be addressed. As a result, that is putting great pressure on services. Depending on the location, people could be waiting up to two years for their child to be assessed and then maybe another two years for the supports to be put in place. Has research been done on the impact that experience has on families?

In particular, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence of the impact that has on relationships. There has been huge strain on the family, in particular, the break-up of marriages, etc., due to those supports not being there.

With the impact of Covid, many of the support groups that we had for mental health and other areas were closed. Some responded through Zoom. In many cases, it did not help. As for the impact that will have on waiting lists, we reckon they will multiply. There will be huge numbers as a result. If we go back to children in those situations who are waiting on those assessments, the waiting list will be longer for those supports to kick-in. Would one see that €10 million sitting there waiting to be spent as one of the areas of priority, particularly for those children?

Lastly, what of those who contracted Covid, in particular, long Covid, and the impact it had on their mental health? I am talking about a lot of people whose lives have completely changed, physically, mentally and in every way. They do not have energy. People who were very fit are no longer able to walk down to the local shop. What of the impact that has on society? Do you recommend that there should be research undertaken into supports for those individuals, but also what we should be doing as a society? What should the Minister be doing, in particular, to support those individuals who have been impacted by long Covid? There are a few questions. Apologies for taking so long. I note Deputy Ward wants to come in as well. Does someone want to respond to that?