Slaney Search and Rescue funding
Deputy Murphy described Slaney Search and Rescue as an unfunded volunteer service in Wexford and linked its work to the lack of 24-7 mental health services. Minister of State Butler said mental health funding was substantial and that local services and emergency departments remained available, prompting an angry exchange.
I note the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, is behind the Tánaiste. Slaney Search and Rescue is a voluntary organisation, based in Enniscorthy, County Wexford, that was founded in 1995. It provides water cover for many local events but, unfortunately, most of those are body recovery of persons from the water. This is recovery to distraught families who have tragically lost a dearly loved family member. It receives no funding of any description. It has no premises. Its resources, from the lovely people who give them, are depleted every time because we have no 24-7 mental health services in Wexford. Nearly five years after being elected, no provision has been made for that. This is causing two problems. We have no resourcing of the rescue services for those who take their own lives and we have no 24-7 mental health service to help them from taking their own lives.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy very much for her question. Some €110 million of funding in this year's mental health budget, which will increase significantly next year, is paid out to various organisations and NGOs and different groups on the ground that deliver services. The onus is on each group to reach compliance with the regulations and the governance has to be in order. They can engage with the local HSE to try to secure a service level agreement to deliver supports. It is not true to say that there are no 24-7 supports for anybody in Ireland with mental health difficulties.
Comment on this
It is absolutely untrue to say there are not 24-7 supports for people with mental health issues in Wexford. They can attend the emergency department in Wexford General Hospital, which will always be the first port of call, that is, an out-of-hours emergency department.
Comment on this
To the Tánaiste, I say that is what elects Independent Deputies.
Comment on this
That is appalling behaviour. The Deputy has got her moment again for South East Radio.
Comment on this
Well, good for you. Let me tell you every time someone ends up in the Slaney, you will get your moment.