Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State's commitment to this House in his role as Minister of State in the Department of Health. I commend Senator Freeman for her work. It is important that we recognise we are in a time of reform in the health system. It is important also to put on record that under the stewardship of the current Minister, mental health has been a priority and at the heart of what he has been doing as a Minister. His approach has been about the person with mental health difficulties.If we are honest - I make this comment in a spirit of generosity - we need to increase resources for the budget and recruitment. We must ensure money is targeted to get the best results for the service user. It is the patient who is and must be at the heart of the mental health system. That is why the Minister's reference to a referral pathway to CAMHS is important, given that not everyone must see a psychiatrist. We should develop his approach and explore the option because his idea is not far wrong. Equally, his suggestion of a dedicated telephone line is one we should support.

Notwithstanding the fact that there are service level agreements with many organisations, I express my huge admiration for Cork Counselling Services located on Fr. Mathew Street in Cork city. The organisation is faoi bhrú or under pressure when it comes to funding and resources. I hope we can assist it because of the extraordinary number of people seen in the centre which it meets, engages with, helps and supports. One of its problems is that as it is not one of the larger organisations, it is less noticeable in terms of its visibility.

I also make the following point in a positive manner. Reform of the health system has led to mental health being spoken about more. I am a former Chairman of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children which did a piece of work on the issue of mental health. Therefore, I know that it is important that advocates speak up and tell their story because talking helps. Unfortunately, many men are afraid to talk or do not want to engage for a variety of reasons, but we must continue to work to overcome such reticence. We need to explore further greater collaboration because there is a silo mentality in the health system when it comes to mental health. What I mean is people protect their own fiefdom and operate within a system. To counter this more collaboration is needed. My admiration for the Minister has grown during the years because he has challenged some aspects of the health system that were once considered to be sacred. To improve things further, we must challenge views and find ways to have meaningful and real reform. To be fair, Senator Joan Freeman has done such work in this Chamber. She did the same when she was part of the Seanad Public Consultation committee when she brought in various stakeholders and individuals to tell their stories, which is important.

I am glad that we have reached an important milestone in the history of the Oireachtas. This week two mental health Bills have been passed without a division, which proves we can work together. It reminds me of the old Irish maxim - ní neart go cur le chéile. At the end of the day, it is about the man or woman, the boy or girl and the teenager or adolescent who is challenged and struggling. For them to benefit from the health system, we must put them at its heart. I am very happy that we have reached this milestone due to the work done by Senator Joan Freeman and the commitment made by the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly.