Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

These are relatively small investments that would have a massive impact but no, the Government does not want to roll up its sleeves and get involved in the tricky negotiations it can take to deliver schemes such as these. Again, this is a tired Government that is abandoning its people.

Today is World Mental Health Day. It was hoped by people in the mental health services that maybe they might see something real being delivered for mental health services. Again, there is nothing. We have seen reports that there are nearly 5,000 people on child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, waiting lists at the moment. A recent survey by the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland shows that mental health services are on a cliff edge. It shows that 46% of psychiatrists are experiencing occupational stress, while one in three have experienced burnout and one in ten have experienced severe depression, anxiety or stress. That is just one aspect of workers who are involved in our mental health services. There is nothing in this budget that will improve that service; nothing.

It is also important to highlight the lack of action in the HSE in providing early assessment for children with special needs. This is something we have brought up a number of times. At the start of the summer, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, said she was going to make huge strides in terms of assessment of needs.

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