Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister of State on her appointment. I know she will do well in her new position. It is great to see the appointment of a woman.

No family is immune from some form of mental health issues. Beyond the striking statistics on suicide levels and the affliction of depression extracting a hefty toll on the day-to-day lives of countless people, the recovery model recognises that treatment is not merely about the listing of symptoms but also ensuring that the person can live a productive and meaningful life despite the vulnerabilities that continue to exist.

I want to ask the Minister of State about funding. As she will know, her Department has an annual allocation of €35 million for the mental health budget. I ask her to increase the allocation to €37.5 million because the Department of Health has said it needs that amount to provide all of the necessary services. Increased funding is critically important. I firmly believe that funding is the key to everything. We need to ensure that we give a proper service to people in need, in particular people who need mental health services.

I ask the Minister of State to establish a national mental health authority. Such an authority would show a sense of urgency in terms of tackling mental health issues and reducing self-harm and suicide. In this regard we must ring-fence funding for mental health services. Far too often, as the Minister of State will be aware, funding is pulled from the mental health budget and allocated to other areas. I ask her to ensure that none of the mental health budget is touched and that it is increased.

The principle of early intervention is critical. Addressing mental health problems that arise in early childhood and adolescent years leads to better educational outcomes, the prevention of several mental health issues and, in later life, it can lead to a better quality of life. This is why it is important that extra funding is allocated.

The provision of counselling is essential. Teachers should receive mental health training in order to equip them to identify whether children need support and, in particular, if they feel a child has mental health issues that they can mention their concern to someone. We must restore the post of guidance counsellor in schools.In the past such a service was in place but it has been taken out. I ask the Minister of State to reinstate it in every school. It is crucial.

A study of children's mental health in 2015 identified that while the demand for the service is increasing, the number of staff in the area is falling. A report has found that mental health services for children and teenagers are understaffed and overstretched while access to getting support is confusing. Given the confusion in this area I ask the Minister of State to look at the issue. Some 61 approved centres were inspected in 2015 and of these only six were rated compliant. The remaining number were non-compliant to varying degrees. It is critical for the Minister of State to establish a youth mental health task force within 100 days. I make this request as a person who lives in Carlow and who has been a councillor for 19 years. I have witnessed many changes. Recently Carlow has had several young suicides. Like many other counties, Carlow wants to be a part of the task force that is being established for youth and mental health.

In her contribution the Minister of State mentioned that within the next 100 days she will initiate an evidence-based expert review of progress in the implementation of this policy and in the improvement of mental health services. It is crucial that areas such as my area in Carlow and neighbouring counties play a role in the task force. Every local authority and every area of mental health can play a role and have its say. It is crucial that we all know what is happening. Information on this issue will be crucial. I ask the Minister of State to set up a national mental health authority which is key to getting this on track. I would appreciate if the Minister of State would come back to me with some answers.