Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not in any way condoning the fact that it has not been implemented in full. The Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, and in fairness, her predecessor, Kathleen Lynch, have prioritised mental health services. We have as a result seen an increase in the budget for them. There is now a proposal that there be weekend access in 17 mental health areas, with partial cover being provided in a further seven. It is important that we recognise mental health issues do not end at 5 p.m. on a Friday or at 4 p.m. on a bank holiday Monday. We accept that there is a need to provide a mental health service 24-7. We must work to provide a service that is inclusive of all people and deals with all issues. It is important that we recognise the Minister of State has secured additional funding to meet specific needs, be it for the homeless or those with mental health issues in our homes, families and communities. They are members of our families and friends. They are people who work with us and in all walks of life. They do not only include people who are anonymous but people whom we know and with whom we can identify. We need to understand they have real needs and it is important that we make progress. I will be happy to have the Minister of State come back to the House to discuss the issue.

I hope I have not missed anybody, but I do not think I have.