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

I have said what I had to say regarding the specifics of the project. I wholeheartedly endorse it as a priority nationally and not only one for County Tipperary. I have no difficulty whatsoever in standing over that. I am determined to see it being developed and delivered for the people of Tipperary. We will continue the work we are doing in the other areas of mental health in the county.

I thank the Deputy and his colleagues who have continued to keep a keen focus on the area of mental health in County Tipperary. Many of his continuing efforts have resulted in decisions such as the Jigsaw project opening up in the area. I look forward to the next phase in the development of mental health services there.

I concur with what the Deputy said about the staff who deliver the services. Often people can be very quick to run down the services in the mental health area and say they are non-existent, not in place or not available but staff are working very hard in the delivery of services. We all hear the hard, tough stories. We would prefer we did not ever have to witness them and that nobody would have to go through some of these extremely upsetting episodes but many children and adults are availing of mental health services across County Tipperary on a daily basis being delivered by exceptional staff in a very challenging area. I concur with the Deputy in acknowledging the work and thanking the good people of Tipperary who have been delivering mental health services across the country during the past number of months and years.

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