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Vol. 951 Tuesday, No. 3 23 May 2017 DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DÁIL ÉIREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Insert Date Here 23/05/2017A00100Leaders’ Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 2 23/05/2017K00100Manchester Arena Bombing: Expressions of Sympathy � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 13 23/05/2017P00100Order of Business � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 18 23/05/2017S00400Foal Levy Bill 2017: First Stage � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26 23/05/2017S01200Ceisteanna - Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28 23/05/2017S01300Cabinet Committee Meetings � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 28 23/05/2017U00300Brexit Issues � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 33 23/05/2017V00500National Economic and Social Council � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 37 23/05/2017X00800Topical Issue Matters � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 40 23/05/2017X01000Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 42 23/05/2017X01100Priority Questions� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 42 23/05/2017X01150Garda Inspectorate Reports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 42 23/05/2017Y00250Inquiries into Garda Activities � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 45 23/05/2017Y00850Garda Misconduct Allegations � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 47 23/05/2017Z00600Public Inquiries � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 49 23/05/2017AA01050Prisoner Transfers� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 51 23/05/2017BB00200Other Questions � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 53 23/05/2017BB00300Compensation Schemes� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 53 23/05/2017BB01300Drug and Alcohol Testing � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 54 23/05/2017CC00500Domestic Violence � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 56 23/05/2017DD00500Crime Levels � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 59 23/05/2017EE00400Law Reform Commission Reports � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 62 23/05/2017EE01300Surveillance Operations� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 64 23/05/2017FF01250Criminal Law� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 66 23/05/2017GG00600Topical Issue Debate � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 68 23/05/2017GG00700Pensions Reform � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 68 23/05/2017HH00400Road Projects� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 70 23/05/2017JJ01400Schools Property � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 74 23/05/2017LL00200School Accommodation Provision � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 77 23/05/2017MM00600Message from Select Committee� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 80 23/05/2017MM00800Commission of Investigation (National Asset Management Agency) Order 2017: Motion � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 80 23/05/2017TT00800Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland (Amendment) Bill 2014: Report and Final Stages� � 99 DÁIL ÉIREANN Dé Máirt, 23 Bealtaine 2017 Tuesday, 23 May 2017 Chuaigh an Ceann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2 p�m� Paidir. Prayer. 23/05/2017A00100Leaders’ Questions 23/05/2017A00200An Ceann Comhairle: Immediately following Leaders’ Questions, we will have an oppor- tunity for expressions of sympathy in response to the awful event in Manchester last evening� 23/05/2017A00300Deputy Micheál Martin: I raise again with the Taoiseach the growing crisis in the mental health services� This is occurring for a combination of reasons, including the cutbacks of re- cent years and a major issue with retention and recruitment of nursing staff, psychologists and psychiatrists� There has clearly been a lack of strategic planning on the human resources side for some time. This is having a significant and damaging impact on people with mental health issues, particularly children. Across the country, it has never been as difficult to access mental health services� One example, which was brought to the Taoiseach’s attention by Deputy James Browne, was that of people being treated on chairs in corridors in Waterford� In that case, it involved a young 16 year old in an adult ward� A case has been brought to my attention by an- other Deputy concerning the hinterlands of Dublin where a patient presented at an emergency department with a general practitioner’s letter saying that he was suicidal� He was simply put on anti-depressants and discharged without admission� There are bed shortages and staff shortages and the situation is becoming alarming, as il- lustrated by the news that the Linn Dara child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, inpatient unit, a children’s mental health facility in Cherry Orchard, is closing 11 of its 22 beds from Friday next for the summer due to staff shortages� We have had correspondence, includ- ing emails, from parents of patients at Linn Dara who are under enormous pressure� Children who were admitted two weeks ago at high risk and in need of emergency admission are now being discharged early� Parents have asked us where are they to go next Friday� Why is the HSE saying that the facility will re-open in September? It does not add up that there will be shortages in June but they will be sorted in September� While there are meant to be 100 child and adolescent beds, there are 63 at present and that will decrease to 52 with what is happening at Cherry Orchard� Deputies across the House are dealing with cases of children, relating in particular to CAMHS, who are on waiting lists for appointments to see psychologists, get access or get assessed� It is time for urgent intervention� That will necessitate using capacity other than public capacity� 2 23 May 2017 Will the Taoiseach intervene to keep the 11 beds in Linn Dara open? I ask him to do so� Will the Government show urgency regarding the retention of staff and the recruitment of ad- ditional staff? I do not like saying this but the service is essentially not holding together� It is falling apart at the seams and there are problems� 23/05/2017B00200The Taoiseach: I thank the Deputy� I do not accept that it is falling apart at the seams� I had a meeting with Deputy Browne and the Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, just last week where we discussed all of this� Funding for mental health, as Deputy Martin knows, has gone up from €826 million last year to €853 million this year, 2017� Over 160 additional posts have been recruited for the HSE mental health area over January to March this year� Recruitment campaigns are carried out to fill further vacancies and they are under way. Sanction has been given and money provided to recruit 114 assistant psychologists to enhance the early interven- tion primary care counselling services for under 18s in particular and to relieve pressure on the specialist CAMH service� The development of a plan for a 7/7 mental health care improve- ment nationally has been progressed and is nearing completion� It has prioritised that all areas provide access to a weekend service for current service users and not have situations where nobody has access to a service if he or she needs it� A full mapping exercise is being carried out countrywide� The HSE, at present, is consulting with all of the personnel in the health sector area and assessing the resource implications to develop costed actions� In addition,