Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will change the subject for the moment. I commend the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, which, under the chairmanship of Deputy Ó Caoláin, launched its latest report this morning. Deputy Ferris and I were present at the launch. The committee has done a wonderful job on this. The report is on Article 41.2 of the Constitution and the effort to remove or replace it. The committee has come up with two recommendations which offer really good options that could be taken. This is an opportunity for us to examine the role of carers in the home and to give to them their rightful place and enshrine this in the Constitution. It would be really useful for the Minister to come before the Seanad to discuss this report in order that everybody can contribute to the debate. I also encourage wider society to get involved in this debate because it is an opportunity for us to enshrine the socio-economic rights of people who care for others in the home in a concrete way. I hope the Acting Leader can facilitate such a debate.

Yesterday, we heard from a number of people who work in various part of the health service. It was a useful presentation and it gave us an insight into what it is like for people working within the health system and trying to cope with the demands they are meeting every day, be it a shortage of staff or a lack of equipment. What emerged from the presentation is the lack of capacity there to meet demand.

A particular issue about which I am extremely concerned is the need to draw attention to the fact that acute psychiatric patients and people in need of mental health supports and treatment are, quite rightly, presenting at accident and emergency departments. If somebody with an acute psychiatric condition or with mental health challenges is forced to wait for hours in an accident and emergency department, it can give rise to a very difficult situations for the staff there.That is something that needs to be examined. People in such circumstances need to be seen. I am extremely worried about the number of people who present in accident and emergency departments, who after waiting there for hours leave without any treatment at all. Other people have to wait for long periods also. There are thousands of incidents around this country where people present at accident and emergency departments and difficulties arise. Injuries have resulted from people not getting the timely treatment and care they need. The staff in accident and emergency departments are not in a position to deliver that without having the proper resources to do so. I would like the Minister to come to the House to specifically address the issue of how to deal with people presenting in accident and emergency departments with acute psychiatric conditions, and how the situation can be improved in order to avoid injuries and worse.