Ms Fiona Coyle:

I thank Deputy Buckley for the question. I am happy to give the first answer. I acknowledge that the process of setting out the legislation does not directly speak to issues of resourcing and funding. While, on paper, this is a fundamental change to how services are going to be delivered and supported, we must also recognise and acknowledge that for this Bill to be implemented as it is envisaged it needs adequate resourcing and funding behind it. It is important that is acknowledged. We are concerned about language contained in the Bill such as "in so far as possible". Human rights should not be dependent on funding or on what is or is not easy to do and what might be more complex. We need funding and we need leadership to push it through. We must also be aware of the people who will come under the legislation. The focus must always be on the last source. We must ensure all appropriate alternatives to inpatient mental healthcare and treatment are adequately resourced and supported by the Government. That includes access to early intervention at the point of care. There will always be a need for acute care, but we can perhaps look at reducing it and ensuring individuals get the support when and where they need it in their own community. Resourcing and leadership are the two big levers that are needed to make this happen. Aside from resourcing, the Mental Health Forum has been calling for the reinstatement of the director of mental health post within the HSE. It would be very important to have a senior decision maker reporting directly to the CEO of the HSE to move forward these strategic pieces of legislation.