Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. It is welcome that the Mental Health Commission was established in April 2002 under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001 and that a modern framework is being provided for people who need treatment or protection. The Mental Health Commission is the main vehicle for the implementation of provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001.

Those who suffer from a mental illness have for too long constituted a hidden society. We must be aware not to make the mistake that was made in the UK of returning persons to the community who are ill-equipped to cope with life. I am pleased about the amount of resources that have been allocated to the area of mental health in recent years. I am sure previous speakers have referred to the State-run institutions in which the conditions were Dickensian. A more holistic and caring approach has now been taken to the provision of accommodation for people suffering from a mental illness. Before I became involved in politics and was an outsider, so to speak, I did not realise the progress that was made over the years in bringing people out of such institutions into the community. While one or two problems have arisen, the benefits of that approach have far outweighed those one or two problems. Some people also adopted the "not in my back yard" approach to the provision of such accommodation. They were of the view that it was inappropriate that people who suffer from a mental illness should be placed in the broader community. I am glad their fears have been allayed and issues of serious concern have not arisen.

The role played by various organisations such as Mental Health Ireland, GROW, Aware and Schizophrenia Ireland is important. They need a professional focus and guidance which must be delivered. Is there liaison or an open line of communication, which I hope there is, among those organisations which provide a valuable service? If the Department can assist in that respect, which I am sure it does, by bringing the various strands together at certain times, this would ensure the best service is provided and that people would not fall through the safety net.

Some 10% of the population have suffered from a mental illness, with depression being the largest single factor affecting 50% of those people. I am sure the weather does not help in that respect. We must provide more sports facilities, holistic medicines and alternative practices to help prevent mental health problems arising. I am not being critical of the Government but adequate funding is not being allocated to the provision of leisure centres, swimming pools, etc., although many such facilities have been provided, including a state-of-the-art leisure centre in my county of Roscommon which is being well used.

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has been responsible for the building of many roads and bypasses and up to recent years it was not a requirement to provide for a footpath when constructing such roads. Ireland is unique in comparison with most European countries in that men, women and children go out walking on our roads and streets. The exercise of walking goes a long way towards preventing depression which may lead to the development of a mental illness. A bypass was built in my area and it is pleasant to go for a walk on a footpath that is well lit and where one feels safe from passing traffic. There should be more liaison in this area in terms of the provision of leisure centres, alternative medicines and safe places for people to walk. People go out walking every night and the Minister of State should liaise with the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure that bypasses include footpaths. A footpath was provided on the N4 bypass and at any time of the day or night at least ten or 15 people are using it. The numbers who avail of a footpath make it a valuable resource and good value for money.

While €1 million has been allocated to the Central Mental Hospital, there has been no increase in the financial allocation to improve the mental health services. There is a need for quality community-based care and while it costs as much as inpatient care and results in similar outcomes, the patients are better off socially and vocationally.

I pay tribute to the VECs around the country — they have done much work in providing classes and assistance — but I have a difficulty with the Prison Service. Not enough finance is being given to the Prison Service for educational facilities and in some areas the health service within the prisons has been compromised. Many people in prison suffer from schizophrenia or depression and more should be done for them.

We must implement the recommendations in the report of the national task force on suicide. Mental health has long been regarded as a hidden illness but we have become more open about it over the years. We have come a long way since there were institutions with 20 ft. high walls and much more can be done. Implementing the contents of the report would be a good start.

Those who suffer from mental illness have civil and human rights and we must encourage measures to combat the stigma attached to mental illness. We must establish consultant-led multi-disciplinary teams where the Minister of State can liaise with the Departments of Education and Science and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government to ensure there are more resources in every town. If every town had a fully-equipped leisure centre and a dietician service, it would help prevent mental illness.

Depression is a major element of mental health problems and we must do all we can to assist in its treatment. Studies in recent years have shown that the herbal remedy St. John's Wort is almost as good as Prozac in treating depression. It is sad that a natural remedy for depression that is as good as many drugs is now only available on prescription. People can go to Northern Ireland and buy as much as they want quite cheaply but a prescription is needed here. This remedy should be made available again.