Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil leis an Teachta Browne as ucht an díospóireacht seo a thabhairt go dtí urlár na Dála agus deis a thabhairt dúinn an ábhar an-tábhachtach seo a phlé anseo. Is é seo an ceathrú uair go bhfuil an t-ábhar seo á phlé againn le bliain anuas. Léiríonn sé sin cé chomh tábhachtach is atá sé. Tá sé soiléir ó bheith ag plé na ceiste seo le daoine ar fud na tíre go dteastaíonn uathu torthaí a fheiceáil. Tá said gníomhach amuigh sa phobal chun aird a tharraingt ar na deacrachtaí seo arís agus arís eile i slite éagsúla, cosúil leis an Cycle against Suicide, atá ar siúl faoi láthair agus a bheidh ag teacht isteach i gCorcaigh amárach, agus an siúlóid Darkness into Light, a bheidh ar siúl ag deireadh na seachtaine. Is é bun agus barr an scéil ag deireadh an lae ná gur dhein an expert review group scrúdú ar an ábhar seo. Dhein an grúpa sin 165 moladh, ach níl ach an t-aon moladh amháin curtha i bhfeidhm go fóill.

The expert review group published its report in March 2015 which was carried out in consultation with service users, carers and stakeholders and informed by human rights standards. Out of the expert group’s 165 recommendations, only one has been implemented to date. The pace of reform in mental health services is far too slow.

By the age of 13, one in three young people is likely to have experienced some type of mental disorder. By the age of 24, the rate will have increased to every second person. It is time for action. We cannot keep seeing delay after delay. The energy, enthusiasm and the goodwill to take action is there in communities throughout the country. The Darkness into Light walks, which we will see later on in the week in Inchigeelagh and Ballincollig, and the countrywide cycle against suicide, which will be visiting north Cork soon, are clear indications of the goodwill and the way people want to see action, as well as raising the profile of the issue. This Bill, brought forward by my colleague, Deputy Browne, aims to deliver immediate improvements and legislative protections for adults and children accessing acute mental health services. It is a long time coming.

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