Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The construction of the new 120-bed hospital to replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum is continuing and it has been recently agreed that there will be a contract for a 13-bed intensive care rehabilitation unit. It is important the HSE's revenue spend for 2017 in the area of mental health, allocated in the last budget, included €35 million for mental health. It is to provide a level of service for youth mental health, for improving CAMHS and adult services, for services for older people, for out of hours services and so on. It is not correct to say there has been a reduction in spending for this year for mental health. Where I agree with Senators Devine and Freeman is that for a generation, the mental health service has been the Cinderella of the health system. I disagree profoundly with Senator Freeman in that the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, is a very pro-active, engaged Minister of State who has taken her brief very seriously. She has been in this House to debate the issue, has travelled the country discussing it and has put her life and soul into the mental health area. It is unfair of Senator Freeman to criticise the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, who is available. Furthermore, last Saturday, Senator Freeman congratulated the Taoiseach for participating in the Darkness into Light walk and then came into the House today to criticise him. The Senator cannot have it every way. What we need is a collective, cross-party approach to mental health which we had in a previous Oireachtas, which we do not seem to have at the moment. I very much wish to see that happen.

I join Senator Lombard in congratulating Eli Lilly on its expansion in Cork. Senator Ned O'Sullivan congratulated Shannon Airport on its upgrade. I hope it will not be at the expense of Cork Airport. It is good that we have investment in our airports. Senator Colm Burke raised the issue of respite care. He is correct that there is a need for a strategy around long-term planning for those allowed to stay at home and to keep them at home for longer.

I ask Senator Mac Lochlainn to defer his amendment to the Order of Business until tomorrow as I want to get guidance on the matter from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. It has been raised in the House before but rather than Senator Mac Lochlainn's amendment being defeated, I ask that it be deferred until tomorrow when I can come back and we have a substantial discussion. I do not want to divide the House on it. I know where the Senator is coming from and it is about ensuring farmers get payment. If I could get an update from the Department, I would be happy to take the motion tomorrow, if the Senator is agreeable.

Senators Boyhan and Noone raised the issue of having a debate on the National Oversight and Audit Commission. I would be happy to have that. Senator Murnane-O'Connor raised the issue of Tír na nÓg and the Holy Angels. It is a matter she could raise as a Commencement matter. She might get a quicker answer.