Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is the third time we have debated mental health issues in this Dáil.

I fully support the motion not necessarily because of its wording, but because it seeks to put pressure on the Government to do what it should do, which is review A Vision for Change.

A Vision for Change, as was pointed out, was introduced in 2006. It followed Planning for the Future in 1984, which was not acted on, and 22 years later A Vision for Change was introduced in 2006. Such was the concern of various bodies at the time that the Government rightly responded and built into that policy an implementation body to ensure that A Vision for Change was implemented. That implementation body sat between 2006 and 2009, and between 2009 and 2012. I will put the comments of that implementation body, and of the Mental Health Commission, in a nutshell. They have repeatedly pointed out that the implementation of A Vision for Change has been slow and inconsistent.

There is absolutely no need to reinvent the wheel. A Vision for Change, which extends to 282 pages, is a most comprehensive document. It sets out precisely what was and is still required. Indeed, among its many recommendations are six I will mention: psychological and social therapies; primary care and community mental health teams in modern buildings; adult education; mental health promotion programmes; adequate and affordable housing given the interconnection between housing and mental health; and formal recognition and support through practical means of the crucial role of family care and carers in the mental health service provision. It is all in the 282 pages.

The implementation body sat for two periods and pointed out that it was not being implemented. The Mental Health Commission also pointed out that it was not being implemented. A Vision for Change ran out in January 2016 and we are still waiting for the promised review. I repeat that there is no need to reinvent the wheel. There is a need to set up immediately an implementation body and there is an absolute urgency to bring the review before us so that we can see that this is implemented.

I come from a city which has just been awarded the European Capital of Culture for 2020. Is cathair dhátheangach í, ach ag an am céanna we have suicide patrols on our streets. That is the level this has reached. I need not preach to the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, who is fully aware, but repeating anecdotes and talking about the difficulties on the ground lets the system off the hook. We want a new vision for change, we want it implemented and we need an implementation body.

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