Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I would like to talk about a similar issue to that raised by Senator Mullen. I learned at the weekend about a HSE proposal to cull the mental health budget in the western area by 5%. I find this quite shocking given that the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health was in the House last week. We had a two-hour debate on mental health services and how the recession was impacting on people. We discussed various issues, including the 25% rise in the suicide rate. The development to which I have referred gives little comfort to people who have been affected by suicide. It is said that 20 people are affected by every suicide but I would say there are many more.

This represents a total abandonment by the Government of A Vision for Change. The Minister of State must come clean on this. Is it the intention to cut the mental health budget by 5%? What is the point of advertisement campaigns making people aware of mental health issues? It is paying lip-service to mental health services. There has been a total abandonment of treating the conditions. It is fully acknowledged that there is an increase in the need for mental health services in a recession when every waking moment is filled with fear and trepidation in regard to our financial situation. Could we have clarity on what will happen to mental health services?