13 Iúil 2020, 15:57
The Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response will examine the impact of Covid-19 on the demand and delivery of mental health services, when it meets, tomorrow, Tuesday, July 14, in Leinster House.
The Committee of TDs, which is meeting in the Dáil Chamber, is holding two sessions during the day.
- Jigsaw, The National Centre for Youth Mental Health, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr Joseph Duffy, and Mental Health Ireland, CEO Martin Rogan will appear before the Committee at 9.am.
- Representatives from the Health Service Executive, and Mental Health Commission, CEO John Farrelly will appear before the Committee at 11.30am.
Speaking before the meeting, Committee Chairman, Michael McNamara TD said: “The Committee welcomes Jigsaw, which provides mental health support to young people, and Mental Health Ireland, which promotes positive mental health and well-being and supports people who experience mental health difficulties in their recovery, to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on mental health services.
“We know for examplethat face-to-face mental health services, were suspended or limited because of the coronavirus outbreak. As a result, on-line and telephone support services had to be increased and new services introduced. The Committee will also be examining the impact Covid-19 had on the demand for mental health support services and any potential impact on waiting lists for support.
“The meeting with the Mental Health Commission provides an opportunity for the Committee to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the delivery of in-patient and community mental health services for children, teenagers and adults. The Committee will also hear from the Health Service Executive on the supports, staffing levels and overall resources in place, including testing, to support the safe delivery of services, and plans in place to address the anticipated increase in demand for care.”
The witnesses will appear in the Dáil Chamber and by video link from Committee Room 1.
Watch the Committee live here.