Ms Paula Hilman:

I will answer first and then I will let Mr. Smart outline some of the experience in Limerick. Policing, not just in Ireland but internationally, sees very many more calls relating to mental health. Sometimes, that is due to the medical nature of illness but also at times because of drink or drug addiction as well. Some of the things we have to deal with will not need a longer term medical intervention because of the trauma or crisis at that moment.

With a 24-7 service, we will still be called but when we are sent to calls it will allow us to deal with them in a more appropriate way. We do not believe that a Garda station is a place of safety, so it allows the people who have the skills to make the appropriate decisions in a more timely way. The other thing we hear is that at times gardaí stay in hospitals. We see the benefits of that because undoubtedly we will get the calls and the point is how we respond then and get the intervention in place that is provided by people other than ourselves who are more appropriately trained. Mr. Smart might want to outline his experience.