Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the speakers for attending. All the members and our colleagues really appreciate it because the speakers are on the front line and see what happens day to day. I acknowledge the remarks of Ms Murphy. She really opened up about her experiences. I thank her for sharing them. It is so valuable to us, those listening to us and those who will be reviewing the proceedings later.

I have a few questions, on which the speakers can assist me, and probably a few remarks for the future. I wish to refer to dual diagnosis and the definition related to substance abuse and addiction coming together. Some of my questions are on the mental health examples the speakers see regarding dual diagnosis. Are depression, mood disorders and bipolar disorders the mental health conditions we are talking about, or are there others? Maybe Mr. Williams and Ms McGillivary will take that on.

I might pose one or two other additional questions. If I have time, I can come back in again. Mr. Williams spoke specifically about evidence-based programmes. I really liked his opening statement, which described some of them. Where does the name Sankalpa came from? I do not know. I am based in Ballinasloe, which is in the Roscommon-Galway area. I will be asking a few questions on how we do things in Dublin, or on the city-centre side of things, but wish to state for now that in Ballinasloe, as in many towns across Ireland, we are dealing with these issues. I am also dealing with issues associated with my area being regarded as deprived by Pobal. There are many intergenerational challenges. I am looking to how we can support people in my local area.

Could Mr. Williams say more about the evidence-based programmes? Could more be said about the clinical trials related to dual diagnosis? I really respect the fact that studies have been done in many different areas, but are there clinical trials or policies we can point to in addition to Sharing the Vision so we can say we have expertise and guidance that show us the importance of dual diagnosis, which has clearly been outlined as so important to us moving forward. Those are some of the questions I have.

Ms McGillivary might answer them first and discuss other issues relating to mental health that she has seen. Anyone else can answer as well. Mr. Williams might address the clinical trial side and the other elements.