Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. It is disappointing that we are back here debating this issue again. We are debating this issue again because the people on the far side of the House have not lived up to their commitment to an additional €35 million in spending in this area. In fact, only an additional €15 million will be spent. The excuse provided is somehow related to time-sensitive savings. Members will excuse me for stating that no one believes that. That excuse rings hollow to the parents of the children who cannot get access to critical services.

Last month in a similar debate I raised the issue of Good 2 Talk, a service based in Mullingar and Longford. The group was established because the HSE reneged on its commitment to provide affordable counselling services for young people. An undertaking was given that the application for funding of this service would be re-examined. I received a letter stating that the funding would not be forthcoming this year. The €25,000 is critical and necessary. The service was told to apply to the Department of Health national lottery application. I am not aware of the outcome of that application. This is simply not good enough.

Last Friday, I visited the young adult mental health services in Mullingar. The group was set up on a pilot basis by the HSE. It has the potential to do good and I imagine it will. However, it does not have the potential to do good if it is established with insufficient staff. A Vision for Change, a document which is over ten years old now, stated that there should be four clinical psychologists to deal with those under 18 years of age in my region. We have two. We should have two occupational therapists, but we only have one in place now as well as one on maternity leave. Three full-time social workers are on maternity leave as well.

It is time for the platitudes, talk and promises to end. It is time for delivery. Failure to deliver is resulting in people losing their lives.

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