Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This issue does not come under the Minister of State's Department but I thank him for being here. I commend the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, on his work and productivity on the matter.

The Minister of State's statement that there is no obligation on employers in the wider workplace to provide mental health training to their employees is a worry, notwithstanding the large amount of work we have done, and are doing, and the improvements we have brought about.

Next week is Mental Health Awareness Week. I ask, notwithstanding the work that has been done, that we would consider legislation to encourage employers to ensure that all employees receive mental health training as part of their employment. It is something we should consider as a Government, and as the Minister of State said, it would benefit employees. We have done a large amount of work through a variety of schemes and programmes ,but I am concerned that we are not making them mandatory. Given the need for a work-life balance and other pressures, proper training in mental health for their employees should be mandatory on the part of employers.