Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My colleague Deputy Kerrane produced a wonderful document on tackling the cost of living. In a two-week period, over 14,500 people responded to a survey on the increased cost of living and 77% of them noted the increased cost had a negative impact on their mental health. The Government's response to mental health has failed. In budget 2022, the Government announced once-off funding of €10 million, which was to be spent by the end of the year. Community groups that applied for this funding have not heard anything back. The closing date was in October. The groups found the process complicated and time-consuming. Even the HSE has said in its emails to the groups that they should not shoot the messenger. Therefore, the HSE is embarrassed by the process. It is now December and the clock is ticking. Can the Taoiseach guarantee that the once-off funding that has to be used by the end of the year will go to the groups that need it?

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