Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question. I will be engaging in detail with the Estimates process and seeking additional funding for all mental health services. The challenges of Covid and living with the virus have caused huge problems for those with mental health issues and challenges. In line with the programme for Government, promoting positive mental health and reducing the burden of illness can have benefits for everyone. Mental health service users are among the most vulnerable people in Ireland.

I know the Deputy has been a long-time advocate for mental health service users in Tipperary. As he knows, I have visited Tipperary on three occasions since I became Minister of State with responsibility for older people. I first met with Oireachtas Members. On a second occasion, I met again with Oireachtas Members and with different support groups in Tipperary which are trying to support people with mental health issues. On a third occasion, I visited South Tipperary General Hospital and stayed there for three hours. Further to that, I also visited St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny, including the department of psychiatry, to see the exact situation in regard to inpatient beds. People with mental health issues from south Tipperary who need inpatient supports go to St. Luke's in Kilkenny and those from north Tipperary, the Deputy’s own area, go to Ennis Hospital for those supports.

I am acutely aware of the challenges in the area and that the Deputy is very concerned there are no inpatient beds in Tipperary itself. However, I believe the bed capacity is there at Ennis and at St. Luke's. For example, last year, the capacity in the department of psychiatry in St. Luke's was at 85% for the whole year.

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