Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government does not wish to oppose the Mental Health Parity of Esteem Bill 2020. That being said, further clarity is required regarding this Bill. The aims of the Bill are general and aspirational in nature and differ from the background to the purpose of the Bill, as set out in the explanatory memorandum. The Bill does not give any indication of how to achieve its stated aims. While the intention of the Bill is positive, further work is required regarding what the effect of the Bill is intended to be and what the financial implications of this Bill could be.

More generally, there have been many positives of late, with the provision of an additional €50 million in the area of mental health in budget 2021. Of this amount, some €23 million will be allocated to commencing the implementation of many of the short-term recommendations of the new national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This includes funding to improve child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, and, more specifically, the appointment of 29 whole-time equivalent staff in CAMHS. This increase in staffing can go some way towards reducing the current waiting lists so that children and young people, and their families, can access these supports more quickly where required. It is also essential that these staff are deployed in the areas where they are most required, taking into account that the CAMHS waiting lists vary significantly depending on what area a person lives in.

Mental health should be considered a disability when accessing certain services. This is currently not the case, especially when it comes to allocation in respect of priority on housing lists. I see this issue arising all the time in my clinics. I also refer to the same issue in respect of accessing grants etc. Help is needed in that respect and this is a major area which we must look at. I am passionate about this area and I have raised concerns regarding it. I will continue to raise this at the Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Joint Committee on Disability Matters.

People dealing with mental health issues are the most vulnerable people and they matter, as the Minister of State is aware. She is working hard on this issue, and we must ensure people feel that mental health is important. Mental health is an issue we all need to talk about. I recently proposed that Carlow town become a talking town and that our county capital become a place where people can access the help they need at any time without stigma, judgment or obstacles.

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