Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

89. To ask the Minister for Health the disability day services that have not reopened since Covid-19; when it is planned to open services fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40647/20]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

All day service locations with the exception of those being utilised as COVID-19 Isolation or testing centres have reopened since August.  

There are currently 7 day service locations nationally that are being used for COVID-19 isolation or testing centres: one in CHO1; two in CHO2; one in CHO3 and three in CHO9.  

Service users that usually received their supports from these locations are now either receiving supports at another location or receiving outreach or home-based supports.  A further location will resume as a day service location in the coming weeks as an alternative COVID-19 test facility has been procured.  

Day services re-opened at 39% capacity throughout August and early September. For the duration of the COVID-19 emergency day service capacity is reduced, this is due to the physical limitations of the buildings available, the lack of mainstream community activities, and the continued restrictions imposed by social distancing guidance. Many people with disabilities have underlying health conditions, and as the threat of COVID-19 remains, unfortunately so too does the need for these restrictions.  

In September, Minister Donnelly and I announced that €7.5 million is being made available in 2020 to increase disability day services by one day a week for 14,940 adults. I also secured funding under the Budget to maintain this increase in 2021.  

The funding will be used to augment staffing levels so that  adults that currently live at home with their families will receive an average of an additional day of service at a day service location over and above what they have been receiving since day services resumed in August. Chief Officers were asked to immediately progress plans with the service provider sector to expedite the recruitment of the staff in this regard.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

90. To ask the Minister for Health the nature of the correspondence his Department has received from organisations, charities, volunteer groups and NGOs which warn of an increase in mental health issues and suicide rates since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. [42445/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Over the last few months, correspondence has been received by the Department of Health in relation to the impact of Covid-19 on mental health. Some correspondents have expressed concern over a potential increase in self-harm, suicide and increased anxiety in the general population.

While early information suggests that there has not been a significant increase in self-harm and suicide figures, this is an area that the Department of Health will continue to monitor. It should be noted that the most recent year for which we have confirmed suicide figures is 2016, as coroners' reports and late registrations must be included. Provisional figures for 2019 are available.

I am aware, however, that traffic to online counselling sites has increased.

This is the case, for example, with MyMind, which is a HSE partner NGO providing online counselling sessions. Funding of €2.2m has been provided for 2020 to ensure that we can meet this increased demand through MyMind and a number of other providers.

It is important to promote the availability of these services. In this regard, the HSE has, since October, conducted an awareness campaign, through radio advertisements, directing people who need services to yourmentalhealth.ie and the mental health information telephone line 1800 111 888.

I recognise that the Covid pandemic may increase anxiety levels among the general population. The Government campaigns, “In this Together” and “Keep Well”, which encourage and offer practical advice on keeping our physical and mental health well, have helped to deal with this issue. In this regard, the results of the recent Amarach tracker survey, which measures emotional well-being, showed slight improvement in terms of anxiety, from 40% in October to 31% at end-November.

We do not yet fully understand the impact of Covid-19 on mental health, the extent of subsequent supports that may be required and how this will affect longer term demand for services. However, the HSE already has a range of proactive responses for any rise in service need. The Department and HSE continue to plan for any surge in demand as it arises and as services return to normal provision and capacity, subject to public health advice.