Emer Currie (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Evan, Niamh, Karina and Ashling. I totally agree with Niamh about digital transformation. I do a lot of work on creating digital first workplaces so that we can allow people to work remotely, empower our local villages and create hubs and opportunities throughout Ireland. This democratises the workforce and is better for equal opportunities and for people who have difficulty in accessing employment. If Niamh wants to get involved in that, I am happy to talk to her about it.

The predominant theme of this session has been mental health. I am so sorry that Karina was abandoned like that. At her age, she should not have to navigate that experience, or the system, alone. I am so sorry she went through that alone. It is a testament to her that she is here and telling us this herself.

I admire her strength and resilience. We have a major problem when it comes to the shortage of therapists. People need to understood the process psychologists have to go through to become qualified. There are barriers in the system and we need to address that. This is something I raised in the Seanad only this week. I am involved with a charity called Social Anxiety Ireland. Social anxiety is a problem that people who have it will not talk about because it is about the fear of judgment. We run 14-week courses for adults with social anxiety and we have started doing them for teenagers as well. The courses bring together people with social anxiety around cognitive behavioural therapies to give them the tools to accept what they have and help with their behaviours. If anybody is interested in that I can give them information on it to share with their networks.