Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend Members on this wide-ranging debate. These contributions underline our shared goal of a mental health system that reaches the highest possible standards. Going back to some points, Deputy Ó Laoghaire rightly raised the issue of the CAMHS waiting lists. It is something I have also discussed with Deputy Ward. I am concerned about that issue. The waiting lists are currently at about 2,200 people, but it does vary, as my colleague has just said, depending on where people live. The extra €50 million secured for this area in the budget, however, will mean 29 whole-time equivalent new staff working in CAMHS to drive down the waiting lists. Deputy Ó Laoghaire was also concerned about the Cork and Kerry area. I was informed this week by the person in charge of services there that two new appointments of psychiatrists were made in Cork and Kerry, so that should make a major difference.

Deputy Mythen spoke about Jigsaw, and that leads me on to Deputy Martin Browne's contribution. Jigsaw offers supports for young people aged from 12 to 25 years old. Prior to the onset of Covid-19, it was possible to self-refer, without the need for a referral from a parent, a GP or a teacher. That is fantastic. Jigsaw will open services in Bray in County Wicklow just before Christmas, and services will commence in Thurles just after Christmas. Regarding Deputy Browne's contribution, because it is fair to put things like this on the record, the reason Jigsaw services in Tipperary were delayed slightly is because temporary premises were originally being secured. The great news now, however, is that a permanent premises has been secured. The lease has been signed and there were advertisements in the newspapers this week for seven posts in respect of Jigsaw services in Thurles. There was worry among people living in Tipperary that this might not become reality. Today, however, it is certainly a reality and the sign will be over Jigsaw's door before Christmas, in keeping with the commitment I gave earlier in the year.

Mental health is one of the key priorities of this Government, and it is good that Members have the opportunity to debate these issues. I will set out some of the topical issues in the area of mental health. Many Deputies mentioned the Covid-19 pandemic, and it has presented challenges on an unprecedented scale to our health service, economy, communities and safety. We asked the public to make sacrifices, the kind which would have been unimaginable this time last year. The response to this request has been tremendous and has shown the very best of the spirit for which this country is famous.

However, the pandemic has had a profound effect on the mental health of many people. I hear from members of the public every day regarding the impact of these restrictions. All the Deputies hear the same stories. We have had to make changes in our services. So far, our statutory and non-statutory mental health services have withstood this adversity and I acknowledge the significant efforts of the staff in doing so. Acute inpatient and community residential facilities have remained open, though under necessary protocols. I am happy to state that during the first part of the pandemic, some 85% to 90% of all mental health acute services remained in place. Where numbers have been reduced in some settings, telehealth solutions have come to the fore to protect people using the services and the staff.

Urgent cases determined by clinical assessment continue to be seen across the mental health services, including emergency departments. HSE services have continued to operate at around 85% of pre-Covid-19 levels. GP and hospital mental health services remain open, and people should continue to access these if they are concerned about their mental health. The Mental Health Commission has put in place a risk framework, with contingency plans in every HSE community healthcare organisation, CHO, to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 and to protect service users and staff. The Department has also introduced primary legislation to facilitate the continued operation of mental health tribunals, and this was recently extended to June 2021.

Returning to the subject of this debate, the goal of legislation for parity of esteem for physical and mental health must be carefully analysed to see if that can be achieved. This sets challenges for all of us. Significant thought and effort will be necessary to ensure that it is crafted in a way which fulfils its aims of improving outcomes for all, which is what Deputy Ward is trying to achieve. We must be sure that any changes made are the right ones and are sure to have the effects which are intended. I assure the House that my officials and I will review all the contributions which have been made and bring them to bear in all of our important work in the design and delivery of mental health services.

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