Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No issue is capturing the mood or the attention of our people, and especially our young people, more than mental health and suicide. It is causing enormous grief, devastation, fear, anxiety and worry. In the past two weeks in Cork, it is believed that up to 16 people have died by suicide. A multi-agency response has been organised and a task force is to meet next month to respond to the situation. The rate of suicides in the city and county of Cork is almost twice the national average and Ireland is fourth highest in the table of suicides among those aged between 15 and 19. Mental health campaigner Conor Cusack has called for the establishment of 24-7 emotional well-being centres in response to the carnage caused by this particular crisis. He correctly makes the point that it is not just a Government or health service issue but a whole-of-society issue and that we all share a responsibility to make a change. It is in that spirit that I raise the issue today. We in this House also have a responsibility and we should put party political differences to one side and think outside the box so that we can not just send the right signals on this issue, but respond effectively and with some degree of substance.

Last week Deputy James Browne tabled a Private Members' motion and in all the contributions there was a common consensus on what was needed. Initially, people thought an additional €35 million was to be allocated to the mental health budget. It turns out that it is €15 million and will become €35 million in a full year in 2018 and 2019 but the wrong signal was sent by that message. Collectively, we should resolve to find the other €20 million and spend it on the problem. I do not believe the health service can only absorb €15 million extra for mental health. There are issues with the filling of posts but even if that is the case we can resource non-governmental organisations more, such as Pieta House, Aware and others who provide vital counselling services. The primary care counselling service could be expanded and the income threshold could be raised because, at the moment, it is only applicable to medical card holders and not available to children or teens to the degree that it should be. The Jigsaw programme could be expanded and staffing levels in child and adolescent services are 48% below recommended levels.

This is an enormous issue within the community and I question whether we are sending the right signals to the public. With a bit of a will we could do more. We need a national dialogue but, in the interim, we should find the additional resources for the community-based interventions and non-governmental organisations so they have the help and resources to deal with this crisis.

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