Joan Freeman (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to remind the House once more of the double standard that exists in the treatment of physical health care and mental health care. By the time the third or fourth week of January comes around, we have often forgotten the new year's resolutions we made at the start of the month. I have not forgotten my resolution to continue, during the Order of Business in 2017, to tell the House about some of the realities facing children in mental health treatment on a daily basis. I will focus on the admission of children to adult psychiatric units. Senators will be aware that I introduced a Bill in November 2016 to prevent his practice from continuing, but they probably do not know that the main reason for the practice is the unavailability of an out-of-hours service for our children. In other words, no mental health services are available for our children after 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday and all day at the weekend. After 5 p.m. on a Friday, children who are in trouble will either be put into an adult psychiatric unit or will be left to handle to handle their own issues with their families. Senators might recall that, before Christmas, three young people in County Cork took their own lives. There has been a suggestion that the reason behind these suicides was the absence of 24/7 treatment. When are we going to realise that crises do not stop at 5 p.m.? In this country, many suicides are attempted at the weekend, particularly on Sundays. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, launched a campaign in November in which she committed to providing increased out-of-hours services for children. I wonder where she is with this. To where is the €15 million - not the €35 million - provided for 2017 being allocated? I would like the Leader to ask the Minister of State to report to the House immediately on the progress that is being made with the implementation of this service. I would also like the Minister of State to clarify whether 24-7 treatment facilities will be available at Portrane.