Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful for the opportunity to speak about this important matter. I deplore the actions of the Minister in charge of mental health services in taking €12 million from the mental health budget. It is regrettable that he did such a thing, even in a caretaker capacity. The Minister travelled to County Kerry before the general election to rename Kerry General Hospital. What did that cost and what was the purpose of it? Was it to get pictures of Fine Gael candidates on the front page of The Kerryman? That is what it appeared to be. It was a political exercise. Regrettably, that is what the Minister did in County Kerry.

There is a new purpose-built mental health unit in Killarney, at a cost of €40 million, which is not yet open. It has been standing empty for 12 months. I ask the Minister, in his caretaker capacity, to provide the staff needed to get the place working because it is needed urgently by the people of County Kerry.

Suicide is a problem that has affected many families around the country. People's well being is continuously neglected. We must deal with this, as certain patients need much more care. Some need care on a one-to-one basis before they commit an act that affects their families and friends. It is so real and final. I feel for all of the families affected by it. We are dealing with road deaths effectively, but mental health issues are not being addressed properly or fully.

There have been cases involving boys who were under pressure starting out in life, for example, in college. We have lost many of them. On our side of the country, there is now a phenomenon of older men doing this. They lived and operated successfully, but sadly they ended their lives. Much of it is down to money pressures. Some were waiting for their farm payments, which were delayed. There should be some recognition of this and an allowance given so that people can get at least part of their money, as they must provide for their families. We need more funding and resources to deal with the pressures of modern life. I call on the incoming Government as well as the caretaker Government, for whatever length of time it operates, to treat this matter as one of the most urgent issues that must be addressed.

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