Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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329. To ask the Minister for Health if there is a system in place whereby persons in mental health institutions who do not have any family members to advocate for them have an advocate assigned to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38531/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I agree with the Deputy that it is important that persons who suffer from a mental illness, particularly when they are receiving treatment in a psychiatric hospital, should have access to supports where they wish to raise personal matters and perhaps do not have family members or others available to them for that purpose.

The Irish Advocacy Network is an independent, mental health organisation led by people with personal experience of mental health difficulties who provide a Peer Advocacy Service across the island of Ireland. Because their advocates have self-experience, the Network seeks to build a strong affinity with, and empathy towards clients. The services they provide promote recovery by offering advocacy, information and support to their clients. Their ultimate aim is to enable people with mental health difficulties to self-advocate, to support them in having their voice heard and to allow them grow in confidence and claim their rights. The service is confidential and free. Contact details for the Irish Advocacy Network are available on their website at .