Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I ask the Leader to organise a serious debate on Ireland's suicide rate, which is of concern because it is the fourth highest in the EU. We have to address the circumstances which meant that 250 children were treated in adult psychiatric hospitals last year. Child mental health services and supports will have to be a priority for the Government. While I acknowledge that there have been some changes, the number of places for children and adolescents is insufficient. The support systems and treatments that can be initiated to assist young people with fragile mental states are not very costly. They would have a lifelong benefit for those young people. One of the key demands of the alliance relating to children's mental health services is that the use of adult psychiatric beds for children should be brought to an end. The alliance is also demanding that schools provide mental health services when they are needed. It has called for forensic mental health services to be provided to children with mental health difficulties and for a mental health assessment framework to be applied to all children in care. These demands are not abnormal. I have strong feelings on this issue, which I have raised previously in the House. The time has come for a discussion on the matter. If real progress is not achieved, we will not be doing any good for these poor children.