Courtesy and Darkness Into Light
A brief exchange of praise and humour followed the Acting Leader's responses before she returned to commend Darkness Into Light volunteers and its role in breaking stigma. She stressed that the event matters across the whole year, not just the fundraiser day.
No, I do not do the funding side of it. I would say this will be the last day Senator O'Loughlin will allow me in her chair.
On Darkness Into Light, I wish all the volunteers across the country the very best. A lot of preparation goes into working with Pieta House but it is the volunteers on the ground who make it happen. They do it on the basis there is a recognition and awareness locally. Maybe it is the one morning where barriers are broken down and that conversation can happen on that walk. However, it is about what happens for the other 364 days of the year. It is great to fundraise on a day but we need to know people are supported, that there is access to services and that there is awareness. As Senator Scahill said, the debate is whether the State is doing enough. If the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, were to come here she would tell him exactly how the Government is doing it, but the Senator is looking at a granular level right across that when people want access and intermediary services, we need to know it is there. It is phenomenal work that €36 million has been raised since 2009. Now that the Minister of State has got the Mental Health Bill through she will be delighted to come in to discuss the matter.
Senator McCarthy discussed addiction and the other way of delivering services. He mentioned Safetynet Primary Care. That should be happening in all our larger cities and towns around the country. We should bring the services to people. It works really well. To be quite honest, if people are not dying of homelessness but due to other conditions there is a responsibility to have that intervention. It is important and there is a really good model there. I have no doubt the Minister for Health will address alternative models of delivery of care when she is here.
Senator Byrne mentioned it was World Asthma Day on 5 May and said inhalers for two- to 15-year-olds should be free. I agree with her. I thought they were. It is a great suggestion. There is a change in the climate. Members can hear I am sniffling. The sinuses are up as the pollen is up. What must it be like for a child going to school where there are probably fun days and everything else on? This goes back to awareness again. It is about awareness of asthma and that children have access to the services. The Senator asked for a letter to go from the House to the Minister. We should issue that letter with our unanimous support.
Senator Martin Conway advocated for us all to go to the coffee dock - whenever I stop talking - to support the OWL programme participants who are down there. I saw great cupcakes made and everything else. The OWL programme here in Leinster House is a phenomenal offering.