Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I take this Adjournment debate on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I thank Deputy Neville for raising this issue. I warmly acknowledge that it has been inspired by a genuine commitment to ensure that persons with mental health difficulties receive the best service possible and, for that reason, I welcome the opportunity to explore this issue in the House this afternoon.

I will discuss the findings of the report, but it is important to acknowledge how far we have come in the area of mental health. I do not wish to dwell on the past, but in 1961 the rate of psychiatric beds per 1,000 of population was 7.3, which was believed to be among the highest in the world. Ireland was described as being "hospital prone". For a considerable time those in need of treatment or care had little choice but to seek it within an institution. Although there was considerable stigma attached to these institutions, they were the only places available.

I am pleased to say that since then, significant developments have taken place——

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