Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will share some of my time with Senator Devine.

I am delighted to be here to put this issue centre stage once more. I thank Senator Freeman and all the Members of the Oireachtas and the stakeholders who had an input into this very valuable report, particularly the service users and their families. As the report notes, mental illness should be treated no differently from physical illness. We all know someone in our family or community who is affected by mental health issues. The effects this has on their families and friends cannot be overstated. As a politician, I had never known the services that were available until I had to use them with friends and family. I was very happy that they were there but they can always be improved. However, I was shocked, although not surprised, to learn that mental health problems start when we are young and that by 13 years of age, one in three people is likely to have experienced some type of mental illness. It is obvious and sensible that early intervention is crucial.

The committee Chairman noted in the foreword to the report that if we invest in early intervention, we will make savings into the future as the number of cases which present will fall. That is what Senator Boyhan just said.

Unfortunately, this report comes against the backdrop where the quality of some child and adolescent mental health services fall short of the targets recommended in A Vision for Change. This is exacerbated by the rise in mental problems in the child population. The key recommendations are that primary care should be urgently staffed at the level of psychologists recommended in A Vision for Change and updated in accordance with the child population data 2017. The CAMHS referral criteria should be expanded to include children with intellectual disabilities.

I have a lot more to say but I want to let in Senator Devine. Unfortunately, many areas have suffered from underfunding over many decades. With each set of new recommendations it is evident that there is a case to be made for additional funding in order to close the gaps in services that currently exist.