Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. A few important things are happening. In terms of prevention, we have a successful chronic disease management programme with GPs across the country. We have added hypertension to that, which will make a big difference in terms of community support. GPs have mental and physical health capabilities; they are not specified mental health professionals but we know they provide an awful lot of support and psychological support to their patients.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has led a significant roll-out of mental health services. As she has said many times, we focus on CAMHS waiting lists, as we must, but adult access to mental health services is in a much better place. As we discussed, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is continuing the essential roll-out of the neurorehabilitation nurses in the community to provide the supports the Deputy has said we need. I fully agree with him.

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