Seanad debates
Tuesday, 13 May 2003
Health Service: Statements.
I am delighted the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley, is present because mental health is his bailiwick. Despite the investment in the health service, the proportion spent on mental health services has been reduced from 12% to 7%. This is not the Minister of State's fault. While it was decided that mental hospitals would close, which was good, community health services have not been established. I have sympathy for those who work in the community such as psychiatric nurses and social workers. However, a number of psychiatrists who accept posts working with the homeless then refuse to take them up because they have limited support services.
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