Ms Kate Mitchell:

In one final comment, people in the room are quite aware that Mental Health Reform is quite concerned about the mental health budget for 2020. While more than €1 billion has been allocated to mental health services, that funding is allocated to keep services ticking over and operating as is. Of some €39 million in additional funding, €26 million of that is going towards pay and other associated issues while the remaining €13 million is going towards the new forensic mental health service development in Portrane, which is opening next year in 2020. Our real concern is that there is no new additional development funding for 2020. That is really key and significant in the context of these discussions. If we are going to improve services, we need to see the funding and the resources allocated to make those improvements.

People will also be aware of the dissolution of the mental health director office and the mental health division in early 2018. There are real concerns that in the absence of that post and office, there is that lack of oversight and leadership in driving the necessary reforms onwards. These are two really key issues-----