Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The more times this issue is raised in this House and on any other platform where he gets the opportunity to raise it, the more it assists me, the Department and all of us in driving the focus that is necessary in this area. If we went out and asked anyone in our community what is the single most important issue, I think there would be unanimous agreement across the board that mental health is the challenge of our generation. We happen to be the politicians who are populating this space at this point and this is our greatest responsibility. As Minister of State, I have been given the task to see what I can do. However, we all have a role to play.

Deputy Buckley has a lot of experience, passion and commitment in this area. He has already asked me for an early meeting and I hope that we can have one in order that we might discuss some of these matters in more detail and that he can share his wisdom with me and try to guide and direct my efforts within the Department. As we are both Corkmen, I look forward to working collaboratively to ensure that we can try to bring some achievements, not just for Cork but for the country. We have an understanding which, perhaps, some other fellow county men might not have.

I also agree with the Deputy, and share the view strongly, that people have the right to be treated in their own communities. That is the least we should do. We are trying to retain and build communities and ensure that they prosper. People should be treated there and we should be making effort in that regard.

I am not fullyau faitwith the issue in the south east. However, there was a request to meet all the elected Members from the south east, particularly those from the Wexford area. We are trying to make that happen this week. I am not sure that it will but it will certainly happen next week. I will get my head around the issues involved in order that we might move forward with the meeting. I know that some of the Members here now are from Wexford.

On the waiting list for CAMHS, the Deputy is right that there is a staffing issue, but I do not accept that it is just about staffing. Nor is it just about resources; it is about a combination of effort and focus and we have to address both.

I do not have a solution for that right now. I will certainly take on board what the Deputy said with regard to Youth Work Ireland. We will mention all of these issues at our upcoming meeting. I will come back to the Deputy with the figures for CAMHS staffing levels.

I cannot give the Deputy a commitment today, as I am sure he will understand, other than to do my very best. I have to get my head around too many issues but I will certainly give the Deputy a commitment to do everything I can. I look forward to working further with the Deputy and I hope he will continue to raise this important issue.

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