Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and pay tribute to the Labour Party Senators for tabling this timely motion on an issue which has been given significant time in this House, in terms of discussion, over the past couple of years. It is important to acknowledge the Minister of State's deep, personal commitment to this area despite the challenging economic climate in which we find ourselves. There has been much focus on this issue for the past 26 or 27 months. We are finally seeing significant progress, although we would all like to see more. The €20 million provided in this year's budget for community based mental health services is important.

All Members have seen people with mental health challenges living within a community environment. It is wonderful that the stigma regarding mental health, which has been prevalent for many years, can be eroded by people living and interacting within communities and by spending time integrating in the towns. This is something in which it is definitely worth investing more resources as it is how one achieves respect and equality. The appointment of a mental health services director is an important incremental step in the right direction to pull together all the various services and to ensure there is a focused and determined approach towards ensuring the resources that are put in are spent wisely and effectively to achieve the maximum result.

I heard some of the debate in my office because I was trying to get some work done but I listened carefully to Senator Power's comments. Her contribution showed her finger is on the pulse, as ever. I have no hesitation in stating that she is one of the best performers in this House and very much reflects people's true values. On the recent publication of the legislation for which Members have waited for some time, the Minister of State was quite right to take her time to ensure she got it right. This legislation is extremely important from a raft of different angles and the last meaningful legislation in this area was enacted in the 1800s, when Queen Victoria had jurisdiction over this country. This simply demonstrates the work that has been done over two years to pull together this measure and to get right. It is certain that when this Government leaves office, its successor will have a firm foundation on which to build. This legislation also will ensure that Ireland can eventually ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On that note, I was proud to share an event that took place yesterday in Farmleigh House with the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and the CARA organisation from Tralee, of which I am a board member. It is doing phenomenal work to ensure that people with disabilities engage in physical activity through sport, that barriers preventing people from engaging and participating in sport are removed and that adequate disability awareness training is made available both to governing bodies and down to the level of individual coaches, as well as training to ensure there is equal participation of all people, irrespective of their abilities or so-called disabilities. I acknowledge the Minister of State for making available funding, through the Department of Justice and Equality, to ensure this programme is rolled out to as many people as possible. I also acknowledge Joanne Cantwell of RTE becoming a patron of the organisation to ensure this issue gets the profile it deserves.

It is timely that Members are having this debate because after the Minister of State's extremely hard work for more than two years, results now are beginning to appear. Moreover, it is not all about money or about throwing money at a problem. It is about ensuring the money that is available is spent wisely, as for too many years, money has been shovelled at problems but such money then simply ended up going down a black hole. This ensures the money is targeted effectively to ensure that results are achieved. This pertains to a partnership approach, to eliminating prejudice and stigma and increasing public awareness and understanding. The recession undoubtedly has created an enormous strain on citizens and financial worries lead to mental health issues and depression. It is only right and proper that resources be made available for those people within society who, as a result of circumstances, find themselves in this dreadful situation. Members have spoken ad nauseamabout the issue of cyber-bullying and the difficulties and challenges faced in this regard but all elements in society are now suffering and the numbers who have declared mental health issues have increased. It is good that people now are comfortable in discussing the issue and as a society, the cultural change that is taking place in front of people is both potent and appropriate. Moreover, the Government's response to that is also absolutely appropriate.