John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On page 67 of A Programme for Partnership Government, it states:

Accessible and informal mental health services can play a vital role in connecting with young people. We will extend these services, such as Jigsaw...

For some time, we have been aware that the Jigsaw service offered in Clondalkin has been part of a review for the south County Dublin area, but we have recently learned that it is to close from January 2020, with the services being relocated to Tallaght. The service that had been in Clondalkin will now be offered on an outreach basis, if a premises can be found, for one day a week. This is insufficient. I do not expect the Taoiseach to be able to sort this out here and now but I would like him to have a word with the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, and to ask him to suspend this proposal until an adequate service can be provided. Can he also ask the Minister of State to meet with local representatives?

This is a service that had been in operation in the area for many years but it is now to be removed. The area is one of high need. The local community is concerned that this is just one of a number of cuts. It feels abandoned in terms of other support services. Specifically, there has been no increase in core funding for drugs task forces. The Minister for Rural and Community Development, Deputy Michael Ring, has closed the RAPID programme. Could the Taoiseach liaise with the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Jim Daly, to suspend the decision until we negotiate to put in place a meaningful replacement programme?

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