John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Deputy Neville on his contribution. The work he has been doing in this House and around the country to highlight the issue of suicide is to be commended. Since the Deputy first raised this issue, the number of people committing suicide has grown to a frightening level. It is correct to say we are not investing sufficient funds in mental health to deal with all of these issues, to assist the families that are affected by these problems and to inform people, particularly men, about the need to talk about these matters. I heard on the radio yesterday that a taxi driver talked two people who were contemplating suicide down from a bridge in Kilkenny last weekend. There are many other cases like that. The figures are not being manipulated. As Deputy Neville said, we are not calling it the way it is, which is what we need to do. Much more needs to be done. For example, a great deal of money needs to be invested in the community aspect of the mental health services in my constituency. Although we are breaking down the institutionalised settings, we are not providing sufficient funds in the community to support the individuals and families affected by mental health problems. As a result, those who are directly affected are suffering very badly in terms of their health and their quality of life. We have to do much more on this issue.

I listened to the previous speakers telling us that this budget marks the end of austerity. They said that austerity is finished. I have to reflect on the 2011 general election, when the outgoing Government lost 58 seats. Undoubtedly, it was rightly punished for the view that people had about how the economy was handled and what had happened in their lives. The 2011 general election moved everything on. The parties that are now in government promised reform. They said they would use their massive majority in this House to deal with all of the issues in an upfront manner. People were looking forward to the fulfilment of the promises the Government made to the electorate. It has not fulfilled those promises, however. The Deputies opposite can dress the budget up any way they like, but when they go back to their constituencies and meet local authority tenants whose rents are going through the roof, will they tell them not to worry because austerity has ended? It has not ended for such people. What will they say to the 12% of people who are unemployed? I remind the House that this figure would be higher if many members of the current generation had not left the land. They are gone. We can play the blame game, but I suggest we should look at the facts. They have gone. They have left the country. They are not here any more. What does the Government say to those who have gone away? Is there anything in this budget to attract them to come back and find jobs here? No, there is not. The Deputies opposite know there is not.

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