John Gilroy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Senator Darragh O'Brien provided a very fair analysis with regard to the current crisis relating to speech and language services and made a reasonable request in the context of how we might deal with the matter. I do not believe it was the Senator's intention to have the Minister come before the House today to discuss the issue but rather that this would happen at the earliest possible date, which might be as soon as next week. I urge the Leader to consider the Senator's reasonable request.

Prior to the summer I received what I might best describe as a substantial flow of concerns from both my former colleagues in the mental health services and service users in respect of what is beginning to appear to be a crisis within those services. Since the summer, the flow to which I refer has become a virtual flood. The Leader gave an indication prior to the summer recess that the House would engage in a debate on mental health services at an early date. Will he indicate when he proposes to make time available for that debate? Plenty of nice, empathetic noises have been emanating from various quarters within the Department, etc., in respect of mental health services. As far as I can see, however, those services are in absolute crisis. It is important that the Minister of State with responsibility in this area should be brought before the House at her earliest convenience in order that we might discuss this issue with her. I urge the Leader to expedite matters in this regard.