Results 7,641-7,660 of 11,498 for speaker:Mary Butler

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: As Senator Clifford-Lee said, the peninsula is beautiful. It must be a wonderful place to live because on the day of my visit the sun shone and the views were spectacular. I was extremely impressed by what I saw on my visit to what will be the new central mental hospital. The project is long overdue and the additional capacity is very welcome. Many issues have been raised with regard to...

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (14 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: The Dundrum site is not being sold but transferred to a State-sponsored body for the purpose of increasing housing capacity, but I will certainly follow up on the point made by the Senator. It was raised last Thursday as well. That is the only information I have at the moment.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank Senators for their contributions. I think Senator Boyhan has summed it up. The Central Mental Hospital is a hospital, first and foremost, and a prison second.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: That is a point on which we must remain focused. I have heard a lot of talk about Thornton Hall and Mountjoy. Those matters were a little before my time in national politics although I was always involved at local level. I do not doubt for one minute the bona fides of Senator McDowell, a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, nor do I doubt the passion with which he has...

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank the Senator for withdrawing his amendments and for the constructive way he has spoken here today.

Seanad: Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (14 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank Senators for contributing to today’s debate and their interest in this important legislation. It is heartening to see the strong Oireachtas tradition of working together on matters of mental health endures across both Houses. This is never more important than when those affected are some of the most vulnerable people in our mental health and judicial systems. For a long time...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Paediatric Services (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I again thank Deputy Brendan Smith for raising this important issue. He has hit the nail on the head; the key word here is an "active" recruitment campaign, which is most important in order that we can pursue the intensely long waiting list. I restate the gratitude of the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to the staff and management of Children's Health Ireland for the delivery of services to...

Saincheisteanna Tráthúla - Topical Issue Debate: Paediatric Services (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for raising this serious and important issue. I am addressing the Dáil on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, regarding the unacceptable delays in appointments for children with rheumatism and those with Down's syndrome also. First, the Minister and I sincerely regret that children can experience a long waiting time for rheumatology...

Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Committee and Remaining Stages (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank Deputies for contributing to this debate and for giving their support to this important legislation. It is heartening to see that the strong tradition of Deputies of all parties and Independents working together on matters of mental health endures. This is never more important than when those affected are some of the most vulnerable people in our mental health system. Moving to...

Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: Whatever you think is suitable, a Cheann Comhairle.

Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: Yes, please. An awful lot of issues were raised. I thank everyone who came in and spoke. I know they will support this legislation. I will try to answer the questions raised about the legislation specifically. Deputy Ward started off and asked what will happen to the Dundrum site. The site is owned by the Commissioners of Public Works. It is an 11.3 ha site. The Dundrum Central...

Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Order for Second Stage (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I move: "That Second Stage be taken now."

Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020: Second Stage (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time." I am here to introduce the Central Mental Hospital (Relocation) Bill 2020. The Central Mental Hospital currently operates from a facility in Dundrum which was built in 1850. That building is no longer fit for purpose. Construction of a new hospital is a long-standing Government policy and a priority in the programme for Government. A...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for his very important question. The development of all aspects of mental health services nationally, including those for children and young people, remains a priority for me and the Government. This is reflected in the current programme for Government and in the significant additional funding allocated to mental health in budget 2021.  As the Deputy will know,...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: The Deputy has raised a valid point. Since I came into this role, I have had several discussions with the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, regarding CAMHS waiting lists. There are currently more than 2,230 children waiting for such services. However, in the past seven months or eight months, CHO 4 has taken a proactive approach. Part of the waiting list, especially on the Kerry side, was...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: There are many challenges in primary care for under 18s. The waiting list is at all-time high of 10,500. It is an issue I have inherited. I met the Minister on this issue recently and I have met the HSE primary care team. The team and the section of the Department that deals with mental health are aware that more than 5,000 under-18s are currently on that waiting list for more than 12...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mental Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: This falls more under the remit of the Minister. I am very familiar with the situation, and I am a mother of three. This week, there was a move to allow partners to attend the 20-week scan, which had not been allowed until now as a result of Covid. It has been challenging. We are talking about hospitals and maternity wards which are home to young babies, including the most vulnerable....

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mental Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I thank the Deputy for her question. I know mental health and all the challenges people face are close to her heart. At every opportunity she gets she comes in here and raises these issues in a constructive manner. She was here again yesterday for the Private Members' business regarding mental health. I thank her for keeping mental health front and centre. It is hugely important. We have...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: Mental Health Services (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: I could not agree with the Deputy more. Our schools policy needs to be updated across many sectors but especially in regard to drug abuse. Sharing the Vision advocates for additional universal supports to provide care to individuals with complex mental health needs, including those presenting with co-existing mental health supports such as addiction or dual diagnosis. This is where it gets...

Written Answers — Department of Health: Covid-19 Pandemic (10 Dec 2020)

Mary Butler: Over the last few months, correspondence has been received by the Department of Health in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on mental health. Some correspondents have expressed concern over a potential increase in self-harm, suicide and increased anxiety in the general population. While early information suggests that there has not been a significant increase in self-harm and...