Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I would like to deal with mental health well-being. I spoke previously to the Minister of State, Mary Butler, about the fact that we have to look at the Mental Health Bill. We have all come across issues with getting the required supports for people in absolute distress, including those who have been arrested under the Mental Health Act. When the Garda calls a doctor, the doctor will assess the situation on the basis of how he or she finds it and how the law produces the framework, but it is not always imperfect. I accept that clinicians have to make these decisions but there is definitely a lot that needs to be done. I support those who have spoken previously about the need for interim funding for SOSAD. While I accept what the Minister of State said about the service level agreement, it is about interim funding and keeping the doors open. I literally just took a call in relation to someone in real distress and dealt with the Minister of State on it. We all want to get a solution for people in these circumstances.

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