Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I welcome the contributions on the topic of men's health. To hear that this may be the first time in the history of the Dáil that this issue has been discussed on its own is a good sign of the direction we are travelling in. I want to thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for all her work on mental health and men's mental health in particular. I was recently at an event in Carlow, as was the Minister of State, Deputy Murnane O'Connor. It was really heartening to see such a strong light being shone on men's mental health and men's health and well-being in general by both of those fine politicians. I thank them for doing that in Carlow.

In my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny, I am proud to say that communities recognise how vitally important it is that we address the challenges facing men's health and well-being. Carlow County Council has been very proactive in this regard. It launched a farmers well-being initiative in 2024, which continues this year. This is highlighting the health and well-being challenges faced by members of the farming community. Last year, 340 local farmers were engaged in conversations on farm succession, will making, gambling addiction, time management and farm safety. It is important that men and farmers feel able to openly discuss their well being and their mental health as well. Elsewhere, the National Centre for Men's Health is based in SETU in Carlow and is led by Dr. Noel Richardson. It is important to highlight the hard work of local community organisations and initiatives that have innovative approaches to men's mental health. In particular, I would like to mention Carlow Mental Health Association of which I was a committee member for many years. It ran a Mensana Festival two years ago that was exclusively focused on talking about men's health and well-being. I want to give the association a shoutout for all its hard work.

I know there are now more counselling supports available for men and I once again would like to congratulate and thank the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for ensuring that the €2 million allocated in budget 2025 will now be rolled out year on year. Work is being done on initiatives that destigmatise men's mental health in Ireland. I commend the Minister of State for ensuring that we have the six-week mental health promotion, entitled "Minding Your Wellbeing". I also want to mention the funding that is being provided to ONE Veterans, the organisation for ex-military personnel.

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