Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I am coming to my point. It should also not be the case in a Celtic tiger Ireland.

I ask the Leader to raise the following issues with the Minister and to have a debate on a number of specific points. There has been too dramatic a move from institutionalisation to community care and there is still a need for a sufficient core number of institutional places. The move has been too dramatic and without sufficient back-up community care.

I ask the Leader to have a debate on the question of isolation and loneliness. Many people suffer from loneliness and isolation and are in great need. I ask the Leader to find out why there are not enough hospital places available for young people with anorexia nervosa; there are only three available places in the entire country. That is not enough.

I ask the Leader to establish what steps are being taken to ensure the mental health services are in sufficient shape to absorb the tragic consequences of substance abuse which is all too prevalent. I also ask him to treat this request as an urgent priority and to ask for an instant reaction from the Minister in terms of a response to the House by tomorrow.