Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ní mór dom a rá ar dtús go n-aontaím le ceannaire Fhianna Fáil agus leis na Teachtaí eile go bhfuil gá práinneach le cinnteacht ó thaobh ghruagairí na tíre. Ní mór dom a admháil go bhfuil coimhlint leasa agam mar tá sé deacair domsa.

I agree with what was said by the leader of Fianna Fáil and the other Deputies about hairdressing. There is an urgent necessity in that regard. I confess to a conflict of interest regarding this matter. We are talking about a minimum of 25,000 people, not to mention the linked companies, industries and small businesses. We do need certainty. They have shown that they can comply with whatever rules are necessary.

I also welcome the fact that there will be some certainty tomorrow on the July provision. I have raised it many times with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Education and Skills.

Today, ba mhaith liom díriú isteach ar chúrsaí meabhairshláinte. Is ábhar é atá an-ghar do mo chroí. Tá sé ardaithe go mion minic agam ó 2016. Faraor géar, tá orm é a ardú arís inniu. I wish to raise mental health. I will allow the Taoiseach a minute or two to answer because it is a very net issue regarding A Vision for Change. The roadmap has been mentioned very often in regard to Covid. We have had a roadmap for mental health services. I prefer to call it a vision, and indeed that is the title, A Vision for Change. The journey started in 1984 with a document called Planning for the Future, because we realised that the model was not suitable. Then it took more than 20 years to get A Vision for Change, which is absolutely visionary. I have an utter sense of frustration in relation to this matter and I have highlighted it repeatedly. At the time A Vision for Change was published, it was recognised that no Government – not just the current Government – could be trusted and, therefore, an independent monitoring body was set up. It sat for two different periods and it did an excellent job. I have asked the Taoiseach repeatedly why he cannot reinstate the independent monitoring body to show his bona fides if nothing else while he waits for the review, the renewal or whatever it is called of A Vision for Change. Since 2016, I have made nearly the same speech and implored the Taoiseach to do something. First, we found out that there was a review of the literature, which took a short period. In fact, the date on it is February 2017, but it was not published until July 2017. Then we got another approach, in that we were told there would be a review or a refresh. In the meantime, the core point has been the absence of an independent monitoring body to review the implementation of A Vision for Change and whatever necessary changes were needed. I will stop to allow the Taoiseach to respond. How much is spent on mental health? I am asking him a very net question about an independent monitoring body.

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