Yesterday we listened to the budget speech and many of us are still poring over it to see what it all means. What does it really matter when one thinks of two things that have happened in our broken-down health system in recent days? The brave and honest Emma Mhic Mhathúna died on Sunday. Her mass in Kerry took place as the Minister for Finance gave his budget speech. Her remains passed the doors of this House to remind us all how she was failed. She did not need to die on Sunday but she did die because she was failed.

Last week, despite promises made to me that it would not happen again, another brave person, namely, a ten year old boy from Carlow, Brandon Bolger, was also failed. His chemotherapy was delayed because there was no bed for him, the third time in a few weeks he had had no bed, delaying his chemotherapy. Other children are in the same position. I put forward a Commencement matter and the Minister apologised, but the same thing happened two days ago. What is wrong with our society when we allow women to die unnecessarily and when we keep vital treatment from sick children? Real people matter, not numbers, and my thoughts and prayers go to Emma's five children in Kerry today as they lay their mother to rest. She fought very hard to ensure women's lives mattered in this country and she inspired us all.

I call for action on promises made yesterday. I want someone to tell me that Brandon Bolger will not be made to wait for cancer treatment again. His life matters too, and I am calling on this Government to stop breaking its promises and failing the people.

I also wish to comment on World Mental Health Day. This year's theme is young people and mental health in a changing world. Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14, but most cases go undetected and untreated. As I have seen in my own practice, parents often chalk mental health issues down to puberty or hormones, but if left untreated and without supports, those who experience mental distress can quickly spiral downwards. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 29 year olds worldwide. We all have a duty to help young people to build mental resilience from the earliest ages so that they can cope with the challenges of today's world.

Promoting and protecting adolescent health brings benefits, not just to them but to economies and to society, with healthy young adults able to make greater contributions to the workforce, their families and communities as a whole. Parents and teachers can help build the life skills of children and adolescents to help them cope with everyday challenges at home and at school, but we can all play a role. We should use any opportunity we can to encourage young people and help them to be motivated, whether it is a transition year student on work experience in the office or one's own child. We should help them to develop and stick to routines and to focus on the task rather than on just the results. We should inspire them by telling them our own stories. Prevention begins with being aware of, and understanding, the early warning signs and symptoms of mental illness. If one sees a young person struggling, the sooner one addresses it the sooner he or she can get help. Do not assume that young person will grow out of it or take the first step in seeking help. We need to take the first step.

Well said.