Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome both Ministers of State to their positions and wish them the very best. One of the most significant criticisms concerns the persistent underdevelopment of mental health infrastructure. While the Government has announced initiatives such as the expansion of child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, and the development of new specialist teams, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. Long waiting lists, insufficient staffing and inadequate facilities continue to plague the system, leaving many without the timely support they desperately need. Children suspected by teachers of having autism are having to wait 27 months to get an assessment. This is a serious issue for families left in limbo for 27 months and it also prevents the child from getting the help needed at an early stage. This affects their educational, mental and physical development.

The Government's approach to mental health has also been criticised for its lack of a comprehensive long-term strategy. While funding increases are welcome, they must be part of a broader cohesive plan that addresses the root causes of mental health issues and ensures sustainable support for those affected.

Suicide rates in Ireland remain a grave concern. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, Ireland's suicide rate was approximately 9.6 per 100,000 people. Although this is lower than some other European countries like Germany and France, it is still a significant issue that requires urgent attention. The impact on families and communities is profound and more must be done to provide support to prevent these tragedies.

While I have the floor, I must commend the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, on the mental health unit in Bantry. I fought the battle here to make sure we had a proper mental health unit and it has been built. I was given a tour. It is a fantastic facility. Mental health issues affect so many families, including my own, and today is the first anniversary of my nephew's suicide. That said, I want to touch on the concerns I have about the number of beds in the Bantry mental health unit. Maybe we lost a bed but it is not just that. The mental health unit in Bantry covers a vast area and this must be taken into account. While we must praise the efforts by everyone, including the Minister of State, that put that new state-of-the-art mental health unit in place and the staff are fantastic, we need a stand-alone mental health unit in Bantry because it looks to me as if everybody wants to treat the patient outside the unit. In the world in which we live, that might suit some people but it does not suit all. The unfortunate situation is that there are not enough bed spaces in the unit and this needs to be looked at.

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