Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to begin my contribution to this mental health debate today by highlighting what I believe to be a very important goal for this Chamber to achieve over the course of the Thirty-second Dáil, namely, to ensure that the general public is better able to understand the workings of this Chamber in the future. I say this with regard to the controversy that unfolded around this mental health debate on 5 May, and to the fallout on social media over the supposed poor attendance and lack of interest in the topic. At this stage, I would also like to congratulate our new Ministers of State, Deputies Helen McEntee and Catherine Byrne, who are with us this evening, and the Minister, Deputy Simon Harris. I am not sure whether the Acting Chairman is aware, but what sprung to prominence was a split second snapshot from a three-hour debate where ten or so Deputies were in this Chamber. It was then inaccurately and, in my opinion, maliciously portrayed simplistically online as if only there were only that number of Deputies in Ireland who cared about this issue. This was hurtful to those Deputies who had sought to speak on that day but could not do so, due to the time constraints involved in the three-hour debate. No matter the issue, 158 Deputies could not speak in the time period given. As Members may be aware, I later read via TheJournal.ie, that over the course of this debate 39 Deputies contributed to the debate and 27 others were present in the Chamber. These are the true facts.

The Acting Chairman may be aware that the main cause of the recent public anger surrounding mental health funding is due to the reports on the supposed cut of funding in the mental health budget by the then Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, in 2016. However, when one takes the time to look at the figures involved it becomes very clear that this claim could not be any further from the truth. To his credit, the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, had, since his first budget in the Department of Health in 2012, fought for and overseen increases to both the mental health budget and the overall health budget in general.

For example, in 2012, the national mental health budget was €711 million. In 2016, it had increased to €827 million. This is an increase of 16%. Since 2013, the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, had increased spending in the mental health budget at a higher percentage than any other service in the HSE budget, including vital areas such as the ambulance service, the fair deal scheme, cancer care and vaccinations. This is a very important aspect to understand, so I will repeat it: he increased funding in the mental health budget every year since he was appointed Minister and at a higher percentage than any other service in the HSE. To say otherwise is wrong and should be challenged with the facts involved.

However, unfortunately this type of factual information is not as popular or as shareable online. This is the world we now live in and which we as public representatives must rise to meet. The real difficulties for mental health services came during the period between 2008 and 2012, when the mental health budget was reduced substantially, like all other areas of the health service. This was hard to accept for many and even more difficult to implement and endure. However, we all know the reasons for this happening. They lie with the bad management of the economy, the financial crash that followed and the loss of our economic sovereignty.

As we are now in a strong period of positive economic growth once again, we can continue to increase the mental health budget. In terms of mental health spending locally in my constituency of Sligo-Leitrim, while there are always difficulties with mental health services, such as staff recruitment and service amalgamations, I believe we can now look forward to increased funding for local services. In Sligo-Leitrim, funding has increased by over €1.6 million since 2013. However, I now want to see this returned to pre-crash levels. In 2016, it is expected that the HSE will spend €23.6 million on mental health in Sligo-Leitrim.

In 2006, we spent €26.5 million locally and I want to see more services and staff employed in the sector locally and for the budget to allow this. We need to see a continual increase in funding for the mental health area. I am confident, however, that reforms, new staffing appointments and management changes are all aspects which will also have a beneficial effect.

Our mental health is very fragile, sensitive and open to fluctuation, which is normal. Being able to talk to someone about our problems is key. We need to break the stigma and illuminate the point that it is okay to feel down and unhappy; this is part of life. I believe that campaigns such as the HSE's Little Things campaign are very important. Websites and online resources such as Joe.iedeserve credit for promoting mental health awareness and advice to large audiences. I hope the State will continue to improve the overall services on offer and I look forward to this happening.

See this speech in context