Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Census 2016 tells us there was a 122% increase in mental health conditions for females aged between 13 and 22 in 2016 compared with 2011. The equivalent figure for males was 82%. This is quite clearly connected with the economic and social system and capitalism, which have given rise to precarious work, housing insecurity, increased education costs and so on. The increase in the problem is not being matched by an increase in resources. There is less money going into it than was the case ten years ago. There are fewer staff employed by the State in this area than was the case ten years ago and the percentage of the health budget going to mental health services is less than it was at that time. The latter is a failure by any standards and I challenge the Minister of State to defend that position.

See this speech in context