Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Deputy's earlier remark about A Vision for Change and the setting out of a timeline and a strategy to implement the programme, although that will take some time. However, within our first 100 days in government, the national task force on youth mental health was established. It comprises 18 leading national figures. Its intent is to draw on the concerns and anxieties and the conversation of young people to address what they believe impacts on their mental health and the extent to which they have access to the supports and assistance available. People should understand that if they know somebody with mental health difficulties through their digital connections - Facebook or the other ways in which young people connect with each other - help and assistance are available in a way that they were never available before. The structure being put in place by the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, will be built on in the time ahead. More than €800 million has been allocated for general mental health services in 2017, up €120 million on the previous allocation. While it is never enough, this shows that mental health service provision is a priority for the Government. I accept the remarks made by Deputies Micheál Martin and Gerry Adams. Nobody in this House, of any party and none, disagrees with the concept of a national response to what, sadly, is a tragic phenomenon. The Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, is working exceptionally hard to spread the message throughout the congregations of young people, and older people, that if they have mental health difficulties and are challenged in whatever way, there is a lot of assistance and support available. I hope this will prevent, in whatever numbers, those who might be inclined to take the ultimate tragic step from doing so.

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