Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I met a mother in my constituency at the weekend. Out of respect for her and her family, I will limit the details I put on the record.

This woman has recently lost her teenage child to suicide. I cannot imagine, not for a minute, not for a second, the utter grief, pain and torment she and her family are going through at this moment. She told me in no uncertain terms that her child had been failed by the mental health services. She cannot understand why money can be found to buy these pouches but not for proper mental health supports for young people who need them.

I spoke to teenagers in my own family. They wanted me to ask the Minister the following questions. Do you seriously believe that teenagers are allowed to be glued to their phones all day? That is what you said in the media. Do you honestly believe that the teachers just sit there and allow students to be glued to their phones all day? If a student is being bullied by phone, have you a magic wand, Minister, that can ensure the bullies cannot contact the student after school? Do you think the bullies only confine their activities to the school day? Are you aware of the lack of mental health supports available to our young people who need them? Minister, do you know that your magic pouches can be opened with a fridge magnet?

Minister, you are part of a Government of serial wasters, luxury security huts, the most expensive hospital in the world, and modular homes that cost more than bricks and mortar once you lot got involved. Minister, please do the right thing. Spend taxpayers' money where it will make a real difference. Invest in supports for the 3,681 young people waiting for an appointment. Go back to the drawing board. Make sure this €9 million is spent on mental health supports for young people who need them and not on a vanity project for you and Mr. Soundbite.

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