I congratulate the Minister on being appointed to his post. I look forward to working with him in a constructive manner over his period in government. I want to refer to timelines also. It was mentioned that any extension of the criteria for eligibility for a medical card for children and older people is very welcome. However, we need a clear and definitive timeline as to when that expansion will be delivered. We are living in uncertain times. People need certainty now. Covid-19 has shown the failures of the health…

The programme for Government contains a commitment to: "Progress the National Clinical Programme for Dual Diagnosis and work to develop joint protocols and referral pathways." In addition, Sharing the Vision states "an individual with an addiction has a right to access relevant mental health supports". Will the Taoiseach indicate if the policy outlined in both documents relates to non-governmental organisations that receive financial support from the Government to provide mental health supports? Will non-government…

Page 97 of the programme for Government commits to establishing a high-level cross-departmental and cross-agency taskforce to consider the mental health and addiction challenges of those imprisoned and primary care supports on their release. The community prison links service was put in place to assist prisoners who have additional support needs for addiction and dual diagnosis when exiting prison. This service helps prisoners to assimilate and helps reduce reoffending. At present community prison link workers are …

I want to bring the Taoiseach's attention to page 56 of the programme of Government, which references a commitment to resource harm reduction and education campaigns in regard to drug misuse. That is around nitrous oxide, or laughing gas as it is commonly known, in particular. One only has to walk around my area of Dublin Mid-West to see discarded silver canisters and silver bullets in our parks and on the ground where young children are starting to experiment with these drugs, which poses a danger. This substance …

After constantly calling for the previous Minister for Health to release Sharing the Vision: A Mental Health Policy for Everyone, I cautiously welcomed the fact that it was finally published just before the previous Government ended. A Vision for Change was a bold document and one of its time. Due to lack of proper investment from previous Governments, however, it was never even close to being fully implemented. We can have no half measures when it comes to mental health services provision. We need a fully integrat…

During the housing crisis, one of the most tragic sights we see is a vacant home. In my constituency of Dublin Mid-West numerous homes have been vacant for many years and the only reason they remain vacant is the failure of the Government's plan on housing and homelessness. For example, on Station Road in Clondalkin, there is a ghost estate with six houses that were built in 2006, which have never been occupied. These homes, slap bang in the middle of Clondalkin, have remained vacant for 14 years, in the height of …

They are private houses. I tried to get South Dublin County Council to compulsorily purchase these houses when I was a member of the council but it did not have the authority to do so. Councils powers in this area need to be strengthened as well. Across the country the effect vacant homes have on communities is clear. Vacant homes are a disgrace in themselves but they also attract problems, including vandalism, anti-social behaviour, and illegal dumping. I have seen how quiet, settled estates have become targets fo…

I will ask a couple of questions on two separate items. At 5.25 p.m. on 21 May, the rear door of an Air Corps helicopter detached and fell more than 250 m onto the grounds of Moyle Park College in Clondalkin, which is in my constituency. The aircraft had successfully completed a lifesaving mission to a Dublin hospital and was on its way back to the aerodrome at Baldonnel to refuel when the door fell off. Reports have emerged about how the door fell off at the far side of Clondalkin village. It was then blown by the…

I will ask a brief question and the Minister's response will allow me to ask any further questions I may need to. Last week we had a brief discussion about Pieta House and the additional services that will be provided during and post Covid-19. Will the Minister clarify whether the 300 hours that he stated will be provided for therapy for high-risk clients are per month or per quarter?

Last week the Minister stated there was additional funding of more than €343,000 to provide 300 hours of therapy per quarter for high-risk clients. I also have a written response from the Minister that reiterates that. This works out at €1,146 per hour for therapy sessions. The average cost of a psychotherapy session is in the region of €70 to €120 per hour. If, for example, 300 sessions were charged at the higher end of the average - €120 per hour - that would cost the State €36,000. The State is paying Pieta Hous…

I am going to speak for two minutes and then leave two minutes for the Minister to respond. We all saw the generous support of the Irish public for Pieta House last weekend, with the big fundraiser on "The Late Late Show". Like many others in the House, I supported that charity last week. I was concerned to discover, however, that Pieta House had introduced redundancies for clinical workers prior to that fundraiser. At a time when people's mental health is being adversely affected by the pandemic, what is the Gover…

The Minister replied to me on the other two issues, but as regards Jigsaw.

I thank the Minister.

I take the opportunity to thank the people of Dublin West for not just electing me once but twice in the space of three months. This is my first time addressing the House since returning. Because of the limited time, as the previous Deputy alluded to, I ask the Minister to respond to my questions in writing to allow my colleague to come in immediately after me. The Minister's big announcement of €1.1 million for mental health supports might have grabbed a few headlines but it will not deliver for front-line mental …