Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Mental Health Mark Ward TD agreed with the The Chief Executive of the Mental Health Commission who told the Dáil’s Special Committee on the Covid-19 Response that the mental health system in Ireland is not fit for purpose and is out of date.
Speaking after the Covid special committee yesterday Teachta Ward said
“I thanked and agreed with John Farrelly the CEO of the Mental Health Commission at the meeting for his candid appraisal that the mental health system in Ireland is not fit for purpose and is out of date.
“We can have no half measure when it comes to mental health provision. We need to invest in our mental health services now and the time for excuses is over”
“At the Covid meeting on Mental Health we heard a number of damming reports from representatives from the Mental Health Commission and voluntary mental health groups how both adults and children have been failed by the system”
“We heard the importance to invest properly in services for children or they simply will not improve and of governance issue within the HSE.
“When I asked the HSE if they agreed with Mr Farrelly’s damming appraisal I was informed that they were doing their best. I’m afraid that their best is just not good enough.
“Political will and substantial ring-fenced funding for mental health provision is needed. The World Health Organisation recommends that a minimum of 12% of the overall health budget should be allocated for mental health. Currently this state spends approximately 7%.
“The challenges of Covid have only exacerbated the strain on already under resourced and underfunded mental health services.
“It is time that we got parity of esteem between mental health and physical health services. In the past there was a national director for mental health, but this person is no longer there
