Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish the Minister of State well in her role in this very important sector within the health service. I am delighted to see her in the role because I worked with her over the past four years in the previous Government and I know how dedicated she is to whatever she does. I have great confidence that together we will make life and mental health services better in the State. Her decision in government to support our motion is an indication of this all-of-government approach to an issue that is above politics.

Certain issues come to mind. Some people always call for more money and more resources. At times, however, it might be a case of looking at where the gaps are and trying to find out why the gaps exist. One of the issues I come across in my constituency is parents or families of young people trying to access the services. They need to know where to go. They seem to be completely in the dark as to how to initiate help for their child who may be showing signs of a mental health issue. More than 2,000 people are waiting for a child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, appointment. This needs to be addressed urgently. This should not be like that and we must address it.

With the situation during and post Covid, we now have to look at and plan not only for the economic stimulus and recovery but also the health stimulus that is needed to make sure that young people are not left behind or forgotten.

I have a great admiration for Pieta House, which has a centre in my town of Tuam. The centre was purchased and developed by local people because they saw the need for it. Local business people and others gave of their time and skills to make sure that the facility was put in place but earlier this year it was under serious threat of closure. I would like to see organisations such as Pieta House, Jigsaw and Youth Work Ireland being put on a solid footing so that they do not have to hold their breath at the end of each year, not knowing what resources they will have for the following year. We must put in place a five-year plan to ensure that they have enough resources to be able to plan into the future. Those organisations get referrals from the HSE but the HSE might not back them up with financial support. That is putting pressure on a service which relies on fundraising. I would like the organisations not to have to be totally reliant on fundraising because we then end up with a service that operates on the basis of an ad hocarrangement. It is important that something be done in that regard.

The other matter I wish to raise relates to early intervention psychosis teams. We have five teams nationally in this country, with none in Galway. These teams are a vital cog in the overall service. I urge the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, to look at the issue, talk to the HSE and make sure these teams are in place, as otherwise we are battling without the full armoury of resources in place.

On the proposed mental health day hospital for Tuam, the tender for the project will go out to the contractors this week. The enabling works are currently in hand and the facility is to be based at the old Grove Hospital site in Tuam. I urge the Minister of State to ensure that the necessary funding is available within the capital plan. The funding was in the previous plan and I hope she will make sure that it is still available. The services were provided in Toghermore House and the new project is now being developed within the town centre. The old Grove Hospital site is an existing HSE building. It is important that this project is brought to fruition as quickly as possible. It is important not only for Tuam but also for the region. It would give the message that the mental health day services are active, alive and accessible to everybody who needs them and that people know where to go and what to do. I also urge the Minister of State to look at the lack of out-of-hours services, which seems to leave many in distress.

See this speech in context