Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I support what was said by my colleague, Senator Marc MacSharry, on the issue of mental health. In the current economic climate when everyone's focus is on the economy, the EU treaty or household and septic tank charges, we may forget the real issues affecting many people such as mental health. Last week in my constituency a young man took his own life. It was a very sad occasion and I know his family well. Mental illness affects very many people, young and not so young, who are under pressure which is not exclusively financial, but the financial climate is adding to it. A cut of 3.7% to this year's mental health budget by the Government was a step in the wrong direction. It targeted the most vulnerable in society. Disabled people who are living alone and depending on a personal assistant are having their service cut and the HSE is hounding them to cut their personal assistants' hours substantially. Although the cut was only 3.7%, its effect on the ground is much worse. The Minister for Health needs to come to the House to discuss this issue and the cross-party report on mental health among young people in schools. If the Government implemented the recommendations made in the report, it would be a major step in the right direction. The report recommends that teachers and pupils be given advice, support and assistance on mental health issues. There is already a template in County Meath. People are often afraid to speak or to open up about mental illness. Before the recession ends, hundreds will die as a result of mental illness. What is the Government going to do about this? It will be too late after the recession ends.