John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I welcome this debate in the House. As Deputy Mathews stated, it is good that everyone is keen to ensure that mental health services in the country are improved dramatically in the coming years. I am old enough to remember St. Senan's Hospital in Enniscorthy and when the walls surrounded the hospital. At one stage we took down the walls. Then, in recent years and against my express wishes, the then Minister of State, John Moloney, closed down St. Senan's Hospital in Enniscorthy. I hope at some stage in the future when the finances get better there will be an admissions unit in County Wexford again. At present, patients from north and south Wexford must go to Waterford. As the Minister of State is aware, the hospital in Waterford is overcrowded and patients are unable to stay as long as they would wish. At the same time, it is important that people are looked after in their own communities and areas and CARN House in Enniscorthy continues to carry out this work.

It is important that funding for suicide prevention is ring-fenced because suicide is a major problem in many counties throughout the country. There is a significant problem with suicide my county. Some tremendous organisations have been set up such as Touched by Suicide and Let's Work Together to Prevent Suicide and many other organisations. They do not seek a vast amount of money but they are looking for support and help and a small amount of money to ensure they can continue to provide services to the people. I realise an additional €1 million was provided but we must red-circle this money for 2012 to ensure funds are available in the area of suicide prevention.

Last week the Minister, Deputy Howlin, the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, and I held meetings with groups in County Wexford. We are lucky in the sense that a local priest, Fr. Scallan, has set up many community workshops in Wexford, including St. Patrick's Special School in Enniscorthy and St. Aidan's Daycare Centre in Gorey. He used to say that he would set up projects but he would let someone else worry about paying for them. That was then and this is now. Those involved are concerned that there will be cuts in the HSE allocation of 3.6% in 2012. This will mean a drop of €1 million in disability services in Wexford and this will mean either cutting back on posts or reducing services. There was a 1.8% cut last year and the organisations were able to live with that. They have pointed out that they could live with a 1.8% cut this year. There are workshops in St. Aidan's Day Care Centre and at the Windmill Therapeutic Training Unit. The Minister of State will be interested to learn that they are proposing shared services and the idea of working together, in conjunction with each other and in harmony with each other and, where they can share services, they are prepared to do so. This could save a certain amount of money as well.

It is important that the House continues to debate mental health issues. Mental health is a serious issue and mental health problems are serious issues throughout the country. We cannot close our eyes to what is happening. We must provide the services and have the required backup services and support. I realise the Minister of State has a deep interest in this area and I call on her not to forget the admissions unit which we need in County Wexford in the coming year or so.

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