Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Wallace for raising this important issue. The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, who has responsibility for mental health policies since yesterday has had to go to the Seanad to take a Private Members' motion so he is already working hard. I am taking this on his behalf. I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very serious issue in Wexford. I have received correspondence from the Mayor of Wexford town, among others, highlighting this important issue and the Deputy has been in touch with us regularly on it.

The 2016 national mental health division's operational plan outlined an objective to introduce peer support workers in mental health services. Peer support workers are people who have lived experience of mental distress and recovery. The peer support workers will use their expertise gained through lived experience to promote recovery and share information to promote choice, self-determination and opportunities for connection with local communities. In addition to working with other mental health multidisciplinary professionals, it is envisaged that the peer support worker will work alongside an agreed number of service users on a one to one group basis.

Following a national competitive process for all HSE mental health service areas, an initial funding allocation to develop the national peer support initiative was allocated to a small number of multidisciplinary teams in the Carlow, Kilkenny and south Tipperary area. The pilot initiative began in February this year. A review of the initiative is planned in September. Following this, it is anticipated the peer support worker model will be developed, subject to additional resources, across an extended catchment area.

Additionally, a commitment to peer support is outlined in the 2017 HSE national service plan. Peer support workers are now working as part of 13 teams within mental health services. The extension of this initiative and recruitment of more peer support workers will commence later this year, once the review in September is published. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, to keep in touch with Deputy Wallace on this.

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