13 Sep 2021, 15:30
The Sub-Committee on Mental Health will get an update on the provision of mental health services and how they have been impacted by the pandemic from Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler at a meeting in Leinster House tomorrow, Tuesday 14 September.
The meeting will take place virtually in Committee Room 4 at 12.30pm.
Cathaoirleach of the Committee Senator Frances Black said: “This is the sub-committee’s first opportunity to engage with Minister Butler since the publication of our Interim Report on Covid-19 and its effect on Mental Health Services in the Community which highlighted a number of issues and made a series of recommendations for mental health services.
“Covid-19 and the impact of the virus and the pandemic response have added considerably to demand for mental health support and put even more pressure on already overstretched mental health services.
“Members want to discuss with the Minister the resources, supports, plans and funding for existing community and hospital based mental health services, and plans and initiatives being developed to reduce waiting lists to access help, increase the capacity of existing services and develop new support services to meet the increasing demand.
“Members also want to discuss the closure of the The Owenacurra Centre in Midleton, Co Cork which is causing considerable concern for families of the service’s 19 residents and mental health advocates.”
Watch the meeting live.