Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to personalise this or to blame any one Minister for the problem. I had a pint with Kenneth Rowe a few weeks before he died. He is gone and he need not be. I note the services mentioned by the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. The people of Wexford are of the view that there are not adequate services available to them. Young people are dying because the help they need is not available to them. In the last month, a 13 year old boy and a 15 year old girl committed suicide in Wexford. Wexford has the highest rate of suicide in the country. There is a serious problem there. Kenneth's sister believes that the Government has failed to adequately fund mental health services in Wexford. I am sorry to have to say it, but that is the truth. This Government and its predecessor failed to hit the mark in terms of mental health service provision.

People in Wexford are constantly ringing and texting me asking why nothing is changing, what the Government is doing to address this issue and if the Government cares. As I said, I do not blame any one individual for the lack of service provision but I believe that this Government and its predecessor failed the people of Wexford in terms of that provision. Neither Government served them well. That is the truth. Something has to give. I am pleading with the Minister of State to take action.

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