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

I welcome the opportunity to contribute. The frequency of debates on mental health matters during Private Members' business in this Dáil indicates the seriousness of the issue. We need to redouble our efforts to promote and tackle the issue of positive mental health. While the Bill acknowledges that nothing stands still, that legislation needs to evolve over a period. This legislation would enhance that which was enacted in 2001. While enhancing and improving legislation is a positive thing and it is what we are here to do, we must also ensure that an improvements in legislation is backed up with adequate resource.

This weekend, many of us will participate in the Darkness into Light event along with tens of thousands of other people throughout the country. That is happening because the State is not adequately funding the services that are needed. There is anecdotal evidence to the effect that because the HSE services are so overwhelmed by the number of people who rely on them, the executive is referring people to community groups. The problems are deeper and more psychological and need more than some counselling services that are provided in the community. Community groups have been punished for the actions of Console. Good to Talk in Longford and Mullingar has been punished because of the actions of Console. When people finally get in-service treatment, no aftercare services are available and they are then referred to the community groups which are overwhelmed.

I understand that Connecting for Life is to be upgraded over the coming months, either by the end of this year or the beginning of next year. We need to seek input from the various community groups that are filling the void being left by the State's failings in order to ensure that we have a proper structure and a proper set of standards across all community groups so that the people who rely on them are getting the best service.

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