Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 January 2026
111. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health whether she plans to bring forward proposals for the reestablishment of the sub-committee on mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4905/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sub-Committee the Deputy references was established in November 2020 by the Committee on Health to examine the growing mental health demands and the impact Covid-19 has had on individuals and services. With its work programme completed, it was dissolved on the 11th July 2023.
Since the Committee was dissolved there has been significant progress made in the delivery of mental health services, through the progress of the Mental Health Bill through the Oireachtas, the development of the [successor strategy to Connecting for Life] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/irelands-next-suicide-reduction-strategy/) our National Suicide and Self Harm reduction policy, the establishment of the HSE's Office of Child and Youth Mental Health and publication of its [Action Plan (www.about.hse.ie/news/hse-publishes-action-plan-for-the-reform-of-child-and-youth-mental-health-services-in-ireland/)] and the ongoing implementation of Sharing the Vision: Ireland's Mental Health Policy 2020-2030, with a detailed [second implementation plan] (www.gov.ie/en/department-of-health/publications/national-implementation-and-monitoring-committee-steering-committee/#sharing-the-vision-implementation-plan-2025-2027)
published in April 2024. The development of the second implementation plan involved a wide-ranging consultation process including those with lived experience and the updated plan reflects the experiences of Covid and broader developments in the sector.
Key achievements are published regularly on the Department of Health's website at the links provided above.
