Mental Health services in the north west came to the fore as part of a debate in Dail Eireann last night.
TD’s debated a range of mental health issues in the Dail last night, including the mental health budget and the numbers of children waiting for services in the north west.
Fianna Fail mental health spokesperson James Browne tabled a private members motion yesterday calling on the government to honour it’s commitment to fully fund mental health services as outlined in the policy Vision for change.
It was the third time since the formation of the current minority government that the dail sat to debate a Fianna Fail motion on mental health services.
Recent reports have shown the high numbers of children and adolescent’s waiting for mental health services in Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.
Donegal Fianna Fail TD Pat ‘The Cope’ Gallagher says it’s vital extra funding and resources are provided.
Sligo/Leitrim deputy Eamon Scanlon told the Oireachtas that waiting times for children in his constituency are far too high.
According to the Fianna Fail deputy there are 221 children in the Sligo/Leitrim constituency on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services waiting list.
He says this highlights the gaps in mental health services.
However Sligo/Leitrim Fine Gael deputy Tony Mcloughlin said mental health services remain a priority for the government.
Deputy McLoughlin told the debate that media and social media reports on the mental health budget being just €15 million for 2017 are way off the mark.
