I speak in support of the amendment. Both the Minister of State and I have dealt with situations where people have sought the help of mental health services and have been effectively told they need to address the other issue, go elsewhere before they go to them or not to come to them at all. That is not good enough in the modern age. As Deputy Clarke said, there should be no wrong door. When somebody presents looking for help be it at mental health services or any other healthcare service, they need to be looked after. This is an important amendment. The principle of no wrong route to service needs to inform every activity in the mental health system, in dual diagnosis in the case of addiction and also in the case of people who have been or have yet to be diagnosed with ASD, for example. I think we are both aware of cases in which people were told go and address that diagnosis or issue before coming to mental health services.

Sentiment score: 0.01

I support Deputy Clarke. This is an issue that mental health professionals and gardaí are bringing to us regularly. I know last year, in response to a parliamentary question, as the Minister of State knows, there was only one authorised officer between the city and county in Waterford. I have a number of questions submitted but I do not know if that situation has improved. I hope to God it has, but that will remain to be seen. It proves the point that the debate we have been having over the past 40 minutes or so is about looking after people when they are at their lowest ebb, when they are in crisis and when there is the greatest need and the greatest risk of harm. When we do not have the personnel in place to help that process, we all, unfortunately, see the outworkings of that in our respective constituencies. I add to what Deputy Clarke has said. Whatever the proposals will be, we need to see action on that and an uptake in authorised officers across the State.

Sentiment score: 0.16