Sinn Féin Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe, a former member of Oireachtas Mental health Committee, has called on the Government to meet with Pieta House to address the funding shortfall which has led to pay cuts and redundancies in the mental health service.

Teachta Crowe described the redundancies coming at a time when demand has never been as high as devastating news for workers and those who need and access the service.

Teachta Crowe said:

“Pieta House provides essential mental health services across the State. In many cases, they operate in areas and communities which lack adequate public services or resources.

“Sinn Féin have long made the point that mental health services should not be dependent on where you live or on charitable donations, but rather that the government has a responsibility to see that these services are protected, enhanced, and available to all those who access and need them.

“The Covid-19 crisis has put huge strain on existing mental health already struggling to cope with demand. Charities which provide mental health supports are also finding it increasingly difficult to fundraise during this pandemic, with people forced to isolate which reduces fundraising opportunities. This is making them even more reliant on Government support which is wholly inadequate.

“We know that people working in our frontline services are being exposed to traumatic and stressful situations and may require mental health support at this difficult time but it’s not always there.

“I am calling on the government to address this deficit and begin to work with providers to roll out an improved service, properly resourced and funded.

“Funding problems in Pieta House is just another symptom of our haphazard support system for mental services.

“Workers with expertise in mental health provision should not be out of work at a time when demand has never been higher.

“This is a time of unprecedented crisis. We need innovative, fresh thinking and new approaches.
“If necessary, qualified staff in Pieta House should be made part of the public system on a temporary basis to enable them to continue their vital work.

“Pieta House does excellent work filling the gap created by years of government neglect in mental health services and supports. In these unprecedented times, a caretaker government needs to act or step aside for those who will.”