Chris Andrews (Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister of State for coming in. I know this is an issue she is very passionate about and active on. I thank and acknowledge all the volunteers who came out last Saturday morning for the Pieta House Darkness Into Light walk. The volunteers come out extra early, at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. If it was not for them, this event would not happen. It is a very important event for mental health and suicide prevention but also for Pieta House, whose funding is almost exclusively dependent on private donations and events like that. Some 87% of its funding comes from events like Darkness into Light and a variety of other events throughout the year. I acknowledge the work the volunteers do because the public donations ultimately will not keep the services that are needed alive and there, in place.

I was speaking to someone recently who suggested that physical and mental health are inextricably linked. They proposed that there be a tax credit for gym membership. I acknowledge it is not the Minister of State’s area but it is something to raise and be aware of. We cannot lose on a tax credit for gym membership because not only are people physically fit but it addresses preventative measures, rather than treatment of many mental and physical health issues. The stronger a person is, the less time they spend in hospital. There will be fewer people going to hospital.

Yesterday I spoke to Councillor Leah Cull from Boyle, County Roscommon, and she highlighted that non-profit, non-government funded charities are holding up a failed system in rural Ireland. She feels strongly about this. These charities do not get Government funding because they are not national charities but they are still taking referrals from national organisations. One organisation she mentioned was North West Stop, which covers some of County Mayo, counties Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon, south Donegal and County Cavan. It covers a huge area and it does fantastic work but ultimately, it is not funded. It is taking referrals to provide counselling throughout the country. Could the Minister of State outline why organisations like North West Stop are not funded and is this something that can be considered at a future date? North West Stop does fantastic work and does not have that support it desperately needs.