Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Roche. In welcoming the opportunity to raise the importance of mental health in society, I call for a unified, collective approach to growing problems in the area of mental health. The recent budget imposed a further cut in funding for these services. The budget for mental health as a proportion of health expenditure has been reduced from 7.9% to 5.3%. The promise set out in the programme for Government to publish a timeframe for implementing faster access to mental health services has been put on the long finger.

The implementation of the strategy, A Vision for Change, under which 8.4% of the health budget is deemed necessary to deliver an adequate service, has stalled. The United Kingdom spends in excess of 12% of its health budget on mental health. It is important to promulgate mental health as a serious issue because all of us in the Chamber know someone who committed suicide or is suffering from depression and myriad mental health problems, some related to the economic downturn and others to job insecurity and family circumstances. In his role as spokesperson on mental health my Fine Gael colleague, Deputy Dan Neville, has made the connection between job loss and suicide. The level of unemployment has trebled and the annual suicide rate increased by 24% last year, a worrying statistic. All Members agree that we cannot put a price on a human life.

I welcome the commitment of the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, and acknowledge his genuine approach. I also welcome the commitment to the National Office for Suicide Prevention, but we need greater investment in the health budget. This can be achieved by making savings elsewhere. Some 1,500 nurses have left the mental health service in the past three years and the moratorium means there is no replacement of staff resulting in an inadequate staffing level.

At Cork University Hospital Ward GF in the psychiatric unit has not been upgraded or received the same level of investment as other parts of the hospital. It is important that it receives the necessary level of funding. Psychiatric services in Cork require urgent investment. We have not seen significant community provision as promised in A Vision for Change. Despite the great work of the staff who provide a tremendous service, Ward GF should be closed and a modern facility developed. This would benefit those who require the service and treatment and help to enhance morale among staff. It would also create a great sense that this society attaches importance to mental health issues.

It is important that we protect the most vulnerable in society. In 2009 some 200 children were admitted to adult psychiatric hospitals. That is not good enough and must change. I met Cork Simon Community and Samaritans which do great work with those under pressure. There is unprecedented demand on their services.

On our approach to mental health, there is a need for integration and a link between the Departments of Social Protection and Education and Skills to allow people to access FÁS training and become involved in education to increase their self-esteem and self-awareness. Rather than delaying implementation of A Vision for Change, we must give hope to the forgotten in the health service. In this regard, there is a need for firm commitments regarding mental health issues.