Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

National and international studies suggest that 25% of the population will have mental health difficulties at some point in their lives and that 44% of people in Ireland have had a direct experience of mental health problems. On average, European countries allocate more than 20% of their total health spend on mental health services and supports whereas the Irish figure, as we are well aware, is a lowly 6%. In addition, the 2010 staff moratorium has disproportionately impacted mental health services. They represent just 9% of the health care workforce, but accounted for 20% of the 1,500 posts lost through the moratorium of recent years.

The report by Mental Health Reform examined progress since the publication of A Vision for Change, the 2006 blueprint for the development of psychiatric services. The report noted that a shortage of staff was leading to lengthening waiting lists, particularly for young people with mental health difficulties who needed to be seen by child and adolescent mental health teams. The report highlighted how the waiting list for child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, had increased to 2,866 people in January, representing an increase of more than 8% on the same month in 2014. A total of 429 children were waiting for longer than one year to be seen by services. One in five children's admissions to mental health institutions was made to an adult psychiatric ward in spite of Government promises to end this practice. In 2014, the figure was 89 children. In 2013, it was 98. These are damning statistics. Of the 15 children who were involuntarily detained last year by order of a court, nine were sent to adult units.

Last year's 40% cut to the mental health budget reflects the Government's lack of commitment to mental health services while the €15 million withdrawn from the service to prop up other ailing services within the HSE has not been restored as of yet. This major deficit has led to additional problems in community care, which is in a fragile situation. Deputy Fitzmaurice has explained to me that it is in a state of collapse in the west, given the significant pressure on staff that has meant that patients are not being seen properly. My county has the same difficulties.

The 2011 programme for Government states: "We will endeavour to end the practice of placing children and adolescents in adult psychiatric wards." Will the Government ensure that this practice is addressed, appropriate facilities and specialised services are made available in the short term and the €15 million removed from mental health services by the HSE is restored immediately?

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