Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

That is agreed. The second petition is No. P00040/24, "Request for mental health facilities", from Ms Ann O'Mahony. It states:

I am petitioning for help for my sister who is living on the streets the past four years due to her mental health we have had her sectioned under the mental health act and she was released the same day, she hasn’t showered or changed her clothes in over 4 years, she is now walking the streets in her bare feet and weighing only 5 stone. She was arrested recently and had a psychotic episode but when a doctor came to assess her, she was then brought to a homeless shelter as she didn’t meet the requirements for the mental health act. As a family we have hit a brick wall at every stage trying to get help for my sister who is severely suffering. After meeting with Gardai, Doctors, Solicitors, T.D and the mental health unit this petition is our last hope as a family to get our sister and daughter the help she desperately needs.

The secretariat wrote to the Department of Health seeking a response advising of its views within 14 days. The secretariat received the response on 14 June 2024. It is a long response. The recommendation is that the correspondence from the Department of Health be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days and to write to the Mental Health Commission for further advice. Do members have any views?