Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her presentation this morning and I thank all my colleagues who have contributed to the debate. It is extremely important that we have a detailed debate on this issue on an ongoing basis because mental illness is not like any other illness. It is something that can continue on for people and it is not easily resolved. The Covid-19 pandemic has brought forward new challenges in that people are adversely affected by their loss of business, loss of jobs and new challenges within their own families.

Mental health is not just about health services. It is also about the other support services such as housing and the justice system within the community. I have occasionally come across mental health problems where there is not that joined-up follow through from the health services to the housing services and the justice system. At some stage we need to start looking at that where somebody is discharged from a mental health facility but then there is not that same connection with family or in their care thereafter. It is an area where we face a new challenge.

One of the big issues we have with mental health services now relates to getting the appropriate staffing levels. It is a really difficult job and some people might not want to get into the area. The important thing is that the people who are in it and the people who have an interest in getting into it are given every possible support to ensure they get adequate training and retraining as changes come about. It is important to keep upgrading the level of training and education in this area.

A number of colleagues have spoken about the long-stay facilities for mental health. Intensive work needs to be done in this area. For instance, I have come across a facility with six residents per room. That is no longer a feasible option bearing in mind the challenges of Covid. We now need to have that review and ensure that adequate funding is put in place in a timely manner to upgrade those facilities. If the facilities are good, we can also ensure we can hold onto the staff who provide the care.

I again thank the Minister of State and all of the people involved in the mental health services for the work they are doing.

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