Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

If the Taoiseach drives back and forth from here to Cork, he must frequently pass through Inchicore, which is in the constituency of Dublin South-Central. The constituency is a great area in which to live but also has one of the deepest socioeconomic disadvantages in the country. There has been a service, Hesed House, operating in Inchicore for people with mental health difficulties for 28 years. Approximately 80 to 100 people pass through its doors each week and it is a vital service, particularly for local youth, schools and the provision of family support. It is already in the heart of a deprived area. Yesterday, staff received a telephone call to tell them the service is shutting down as the HSE has withdrawn its funding.

This will be a huge blow to all the people who use Hesed House. In fact, I think it will drive them back years. The staff are deeply concerned for their users but we, as representatives, are deeply concerned for all of them, users and staff. Young and old will be pushed back many years and will lose faith in the system. It has been repeatedly said over the past year that as we go from lockdown to reopening, we have to look at the damage caused by lockdown and what it has done to people's mental health. The Taoiseach and every Minister talk frequently about the mental health of our population. Here is a prime example of a mental health service, staffed by volunteers and workers in the community, that helps people on a regular basis. It has now had the rug pulled from under it. Will the Taoiseach comment on this and will he intervene to save the Hesed House service in Inchicore?

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