Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, on her appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people. I also congratulate Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy on her promotion to Minister of State with responsibility for health promotion. I wish both Ministers of State all the very best in their new roles.

As a Member of this House for more than nine years, I see it as very positive that every Member has had an opportunity to contribute to this debate and it is encouraging that so many Members have done so. At this stage, virtually all Members have contributed. Over the past number of weeks of debate, I have listened to many contributions. Some constructive proposals have been made by Members from across the House and I have no doubt the Minister of State will take them on board and seek to have them implemented.

It is essential that when people seek help, help is available. In the area of mental health, it is vital that people are able to find good quality services and supports. It is ten years since A Vision for Change was published but, unfortunately, the recommendations contained within that framework document have not yet been fully implemented. There is little doubt that now, more than ever, there is an increased demand for mental health supports. It is not acceptable that waiting lists are allowed to continue to grow.

For example, the waiting list figures for mental health services for children, teenagers and young people in County Clare are stark. The HSE recently confirmed the following waiting times for routine referrals. Some 54 children are waiting up to three months; 31 are waiting between three and six months; and 18 are waiting between six and nine months. In addition, 19 are waiting list for nine to 12 months; eight are waiting 12 months; another eight are waiting 13 months; six are waiting for 14 months; and one is still waiting 15 months on. The HSE chief officer for community care in the mid-west region has recently confirmed that there is no waiting list for emergency cases, as children, teenagers and young people are dealt with on an emergency on-call basis. However, every effort must be made to reduce the waiting lists associated with routine referrals for children, teenagers and young people as these waiting times are now stretching into years.

Significant positive participation has taken place through community initiatives, such as the Darkness Into Light and the Cycle Against Suicide movements. These initiatives are primarily driven by young people. In so doing, they are raising awareness about mental health issues. I also want to compliment groups like Console and the Samaritans, which do marvellous work in County Clare and throughout the State. It is important that people know that it is okay not to feel okay and that it is okay to talk about it.

The biggest challenge in the battle to improve mental health facilities and services is presented by the shortfall of approximately 3,000 key staff. If we are to tackle this issue and reduce the waiting lists, a dramatically enhanced focus on recruitment is required. A root and branch review of staffing right across the mental health service is long overdue. Funding for a new recruitment drive needs to be ring-fenced. In this regard, I was very disappointed to learn that funding of €12 million identified for mental health staff recruitment is to be used in other areas of health. If the Minister of State takes one thing from my contribution to this debate, it should be that we must have a clear strategy in regard to the recruitment of key front-line staff, coupled with a budget that is ring-fenced to be used for the engagement of key staff, as identified in A Vision for Change. I wish the Minister of State well and I look forward to working with her in dealing with the area of mental health in the future.

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