I will respond to that, if that is okay. The Senator is right. Oberstown is the responsibility of the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality. The Senator is quite right on that. Any child who is detained in Oberstown comes under the care of Tusla. It is very clear and that is the piece. In regard to voluntary admissions of children under 16 years of age, it is where the child is under 16 years of age and Tusla consents to the admission. Involuntary detentions involve the court but Tusla makes decisions on b…

I thank the Senator for that. I know it was a concern she raised last week as well. My understanding, in relation to what we are discussing in these amendments, is that they only speak to circumstances where those children, in Oberstown or other places, are accessing mental health services. That is the first point. Any more general issues with children in care, guardians ad litem , or what happens to children outside of mental health services, is beyond the scope of this Bill. It is how this Bill aligns itself with…

Amendments Nos. 15 to 17, inclusive, relate to the definition of "mental disorder" and propose to replace it with a definition of "psychosocial disability" or "mental health difficulty". We spent a lot of time debating this in the Dáil. I had expected to debate it again here tonight. I have spent a great deal of time considering this issue and have consulted widely on the term involved. I do not intend to accept amendments Nos. 15 and No. 17, and I will set out the reasons why. We forget that the Covid pandemic spa…

"Mental illness" is not used in legislation in similar jurisdictions or by international bodies such as the UN. "Mental illness" is not a better term to use in the legislation. There needs to be a legal distinction between the term we use for the condition that can deprive someone of his or her liberty and the term we use that applies to the conditions that may apply to a wide range of people accessing mental health treatment on a voluntary basis, particularly in the community. Despite what has been said, there is …

I thank both Senators for articulating their support for psychology, which I fully endorse. The only reason psychologists are not explicitly included in the definition of "mental healthcare professional" is that the profession is not yet registered by CORU. I have a personal interest in this matter. I have met with CORU on the issue and there is ongoing engagement between it and my Department to progress the registration of psychologists. I have a very good working relationship with the Psychological Society of Ire…

We cannot overestimate the importance of regulation and governance. We really must be crystal clear on that. I remember an RTÉ exposé a couple of years ago of a psychologist in my constituency of Waterford who was practising but had absolutely no qualifications. The work of CORU is really important. It can be frustrating at times but I reiterate that regulation is very important. A Bill I have been working on for quite a few years concerning regulation of home care supports, which has been taken over by the Ministe…

I can only speak in regard to the Bill. The definition of a "mental healthcare professional" has a specific meaning in the Bill and there are certain actions only a mental healthcare professional can carry out under its provisions. That covers the worry the Senator has articulated.

There are three different types of psychologists, namely, clinical, educational and counselling. NEPS, for example, would be more about educational psychology. My understanding is that psychologists will have to comply in terms of registration under the mental healthcare professional provisions in this Bill.

I thank Deputy Fleming for raising the issue of Erkina House. We have been here before. The Deputy has been a long-time advocate for and supporter of Erkina House. It is a key priority for me and for the Government that people experiencing mental health difficulties receive the appropriate level of care they require in the most suitable location in the community which best meets their needs. Achieving this involves reform of mental health services and developing fit-for-purpose community services that will meet peo…

I understand the strength of the Deputy's feelings. As I said, he has been advocating for Erkina House for many years and also for the residents who live there and who called it their forever home. I understand how difficult it is for residents who have lived in a facility that they will have to move away from for several reasons. The Deputy has accepted that the building is no longer fit for purpose in the context of the provision of mental health supports. It no longer aligns with the mental health policy, Sharin…

I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter. He is quite right that people look at Christmas in different ways. It is a really difficult time For some people. He is also quite right about the unique problems for people with an eating disorder and how they may feel more isolated than ever before. We have a national clinical programme on eating disorders, which has progressed well, with 16 teams funded, 14 teams up and running and the national roll-out having substantially advanced across some of those teams…

The Deputy raised a valid point. The priority over the past few years has been community supports because 90% of people with an eating disorder are treated in the community. It is a very difficult mental health disorder and for many people it takes over their entire life. It can sometimes take up to seven years for recovery and some people relapse. It is very challenging, and I am happy to see the roll-out of the supports. The demand is still very high, and we will continue to do that. In relation to young people u…

How many?

I thank Deputy Farrelly for the manner in which he has raised the issue. While acknowledging the challenges in Naas General Hospital, he spoke about this issue being no reflection on the staff and that the level of care being provided is exceptional. I want to acknowledge his work in advocating for the people of Kildare. I did not realise 250,000 people live in Kildare. That is huge population growth. Naas General Hospital is a 202 inpatient and 18 day bed acute public hospital, providing healthcare to over 250,000…

You are not.

I thank Deputy Farrelly for raising Naas General Hospital and the challenges we are seeing right across the country at the moment in terms of the surge in presentations, in particular older people, relating to flu. I heard Bernard Gloster, the chief executive of the HSE, say quite clearly on Sunday that if people are very unwell, they need to present to hospital. It is especially true for older people in relation to flu. I will also take this opportunity to encourage people to take the flu vaccine as well. That is …

To be helpful while the official is looking up the exact Standing Order in relation to it, I have discussed with all senior Ministers that I expect, as Chief Whip, that somebody from the Department takes a question. That is why I am here myself taking the previous three health questions. I always try to come in if they are about mental health. Sometimes, it is impossible if a Minister or Minister of State is not available. Deputy Mac Lochlainn said he has seen the Minister of State. We then move to Front Bench cove…

To clarify, Topical Issues are on at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning and I am actually taking one. It is my understanding that the list is already full for the morning so I cannot say whether it would revert to tomorrow or further away. That does not come through me. It comes through the Oireachtas. I cannot state for definite that Deputy Mac Lochlainn's will be taken in the morning.

I move: Tuesday's business shall be: - Motion to Instruct the Committee on the Environment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025 (without debate and any division claimed to be taken immediately) - Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks (Amendment) Bill 2025 (Second Stage) (to conclude within 3 hours and 34 minutes) Tuesday's private members' business shall be the Motion re Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Services, selected by Sinn Féin. Wednesday's business shall be: - Statement…

In relation to the defective block legislation, I was only made aware today that it had not been circulated to Members until 10 a.m. That is not a matter I can control, but I heard it was only circulated at 10 a.m. All I can do is apologise. I do not know why that was the case. It is not normally the case. That is the first thing I will say. We are taking Second Stage of the remediation legislation this evening. There is quite a lot of time allowed for it, 204 minutes plus ten minutes' wrap, which is over three and…