Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Freeman, McDowell and McFadden have raised the issue of mental health. All of us concur with the remarks that if a person is an emergency case there should not be a 13 week wait, which is unacceptable. Senator Conway-Walsh also made reference to mental health.

Again, it is disappointing that Members do not acknowledge that there has been an increase in funding. I will say it again, as I said to Senator Devine yesterday, there has been an increase to €1.026 billion in 2020, which is an increase of €315 million since 2012. In addition, there has been an increase of €39 million in the mental health service budget, which will include €13 million for new developments next year.

I accept there has been an issue with recruitment and Senator McFadden made reference to the interview process. To be fair to the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, priority has been given to the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. There is too long a waiting list but the numbers have been reduced. As Senator McDowell said, with which I completely agree, if an emergency is an emergency then it is about the life of a person. That is the fundamental point and there is a need for a joined-up approach to the whole issue of mental health.

Senator Freeman made reference to the Government in terms of the Oireachtas cross-party committee. That is not a matter for the Government. It is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas, the Dáil and Seanad, to reconvene the group, a measure of which I am very supportive.

Senator Conway-Walsh proposed an amendment to the Order of Business on the need for a debate on the Shane O'Farrell inquiry. All of us on this side of the House and indeed, all Members in both Houses, want justice for the O'Farrell family. I will not divide the House on the matter and acquiesce to the request. This is not a partisan matter.