Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I came to the Chamber I did some research but I have now changed my script completely. I am now speaking from the heart. I recall the previous debate on the issue. There is a distinct difference between it and the current debate. Previously, there was unity of purpose from every side.

In engaging in such a debate I think of the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, Deputy Buckley, and others in the Chamber or Gallery who have been affected by suicide. I also think of family connections and friends who have been affected by suicide. I sat in the living room of one such family recently in my constituency. The one thing that resonates in my mind is that the mother of the young man who had committed suicide pleaded with me to fight ferociously with the Government to get funding but not to get into the blame game of who did this and who did that. I had no intention of saying that this evening.

Deputy James Browne, a new Deputy, is one of the most sincere individuals one could meet. The Minister of State recognises that. He has done Trojan work in this area. He is very concerned about the issue. On numerous occasions he has spoken passionately at parliamentary party meetings on the issue. He has spoken on a one-to-one basis with so many people.

I acknowledge that the Government is listening and acknowledges what we on this side of the House are doing. I do not want to say what I will say next but I must do so. We waited ten weeks to form a Government in this country. It did not happen. At the end of the day, we on this side of the House - unlike some of our critics here this evening - did the right thing and formed a Government. The only reason I say that is because if we had a second election €40 million would have been lost and the mental health services would be much shorter of money than is the case. Having said that, we all need to step up to the mark and the Government needs to put the funding in place that was promised.

I have figures going back to April 2016 which refer to a shortfall of 2,687 in the mental health whole-time equivalents for the full implementation of A Vision for Change. In every health board area there are red figures and a minus, which means that the teams that should be in place to look after people up to 18 years of age are not there. We must put those teams in place as a matter of urgency.

We need to be very serious about addressing this matter because many people are suffering. It is a massive challenge for people inside and outside this Chamber and in our constituencies and wherever we find it, we must find the funding to deal with it.

On community health services, there is a major issue in my constituency of Roscommon-Galway for people living in hostels who have been taken out of large institutions. An attempt is being made to move them out of the hostels where they are happy. However, I acknowledge that on two occasions at the weekend the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, telephoned me in response to messages I had left for her. I also acknowledge what she is trying to do. I know that she is sincere and that her heart is in the right place, but I ask her to, please, try to secure the extra funding promised for mental health services because it is needed.

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