Jimmy Harte (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support Senator MacSharry in asking the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to clarify news reports on the €35 million or €70 million in funding which the mental health services expected. For the sake of all those affected by mental health issues, I ask that the Minister of State reassure the public that the funding remains available and that the HSE is going to get its act together. This money has been committed and ring-fenced. I am sure Members will agree that clarity is needed. Last week we had the debacle of the drugs for cancer patients and the House had to extract an explanation from the Department of Health. There appears to be a trend of the HSE making announcements without consulting the Minister or staff at local level.

It has been claimed that each Senator gives rise to €40,000 in computer costs per annum. My computer cost €500. I do not know where the €40,000 figure came from but we need a reasonable and balanced debate rather than picking figures from the air to suit election campaigns.