Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving time for Members to express their concerns on mental health. I congratulate Deputy Brown on bringing the Bill before the House and compliment him on the work he has done so far. It is a great privilege for a Member to bring such a Bill to the floor of the Dáil this morning because every Oireachtas Member deals with mental health issues and suicide within his or her constituency every day.

Reference was made to my colleague and friend, former Deputy Dan Neville, who for many years highlighted the need for mental health facilities and resources. At the time, many people were listening but, unfortunately, we did not have the resources or some of the support systems that are in place at present. I congratulate the new Minister of State with responsibility for mental health. He has a very difficult portfolio.

The concerns we are expressing are also being expressed on a daily basis in so many areas throughout the country. So many people have been touched by this issue. It is vitally important that the Minister of State take heed, and he will. I know the man and he is very anxious that we get results in respect of what is required. Mental health services are needed, not just for five days a week but on a 24-7 basis. I have attended many meetings and health forums in recent times and on many occasions I heard some of the complaints that have been made, including in respect of continuity of services at weekends and at night.

This issue is extremely important for people. Deputy Neville mentioned concerns regarding drugs and alcohol. On visits to schools and when speaking to teachers and parents, the amount of bullying that can take place within schools has been brought to my attention. This is very concerning for parents and teachers. We must start with national and secondary schools. Young people must be made aware, first, of the dangers of drugs and alcohol and, second, of what can be and is said on social media in respect of bullying of friends, colleagues or classmates. I find that issue very worrying.

We hear about the various services that are in place, such as Jigsaw and CAMHS. I represent the constituency of Sligo-Leitrim, which contains many rural areas. As some of the previous speakers have said, there are a lot of people living alone with mental health issues who must be listened to. They must have the services they require daily and weekly. We must provide those services. In the cities, all the services are provided. In the rural areas, there are concerns. Only recently, I met a father whose young daughter took her own life some time ago. He and his family appealed to me to do whatever I could as an elected representative to highlight the suffering and pain this family is going through. There are many families in every part of the country that are suffering as a result of young people committing suicide, both in terms of mental health and because of the fears they have that the services are not there to provide for young people.

I congratulate Deputy Browne and plead with the Minister of State and all of the relevant agencies in the context of the services we have in each of our constituencies and nationally. I ask first that we fill existing vacancies. There are services crying out for additional help and support. I support this new committee that will have numerous decisions to take in the coming period. I would certainly like to be associated with the comments made during this debate in respect of Deputy Browne's Bill.

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