Ms Sinead O'Brien:

I would like to clarify that point. The Chairman is quite right that we have seen an increase in overall demand for mental health services. What I was referring to was the fact that with early intervention and intensive rehabilitation, the numbers requiring continuing care residence is expected to decrease, as outlined in A Vision for Change. The focus is on supporting people in the community to live as independently as possible, with the appropriate support. We have seen an increase in demand for services and that is why we have significantly increased the services in east Cork specifically. We have seen the benefit of the east Cork home treatment team, where people can be seen in their own homes or at a preferred location.

We have also seen the benefit of the support of the psychiatry of later life team for individuals who are over 65. We also have a seven-day service nursing service so people can be seen in their own home, seven days a week, if that is what is required.