Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has said he has no confidence that things will improve for mental health over the term of the new government.

Deputy Ward was speaking following the reappointment of Mary Butler as Minister for State for Mental Health.

Teachta Ward said:

“In the last Dáil term, when I was announced as the Sinn Féin spokesperson on mental health, I said that I would work constructively with Minister Butler.

“Her five years have seen undelivered promises, damning reports into mental health services and record waiting times. In all of this, people’s lives have been put on hold and their outcomes have gotten worse.

“Yesterday, it was announced that Minister Butler will retain her position in mental health, and while continuity can be a good thing, a fresh approach is what was needed.

“If we look at her record as Minister, she failed to reform the Mental Health Act 2001, despite this being in the 2020 programme for government.

“She failed to regulate Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services following damning reports by Maskey and the Mental Health Commission. Children were put at serious risk and harm was caused. These services remain unregulated today.

“CAMHS waiting times for first time appointments skyrocketed under watch, at one point more than doubling from 2,115 to nearly 4,500. This figure now stands at 3,833. Minister Butler’s record is an 81% increase of children waiting for CAMHS appointments.

“Her tenure also failed to address dual diagnosis of mental ill health and intellectual disabilities, with many children refused appropriate services because they simply did not exist in their area.

“When the Minister was first appointed five years ago there were only three adult eating disorder beds in the country. She promised to prioritise this and guess what, five years later and there are still only three beds.

“Demand has increased across the board for mental health supports, and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments have failed to adequately address this.

“Sinn Féin has a mental health action plan, which sets out what we would do over a five-year term. No other party was as prepared for the challenge that has largely been created by inaction from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“With the return of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to government and Mary Butler as Minister, I have no confidence that things will improve over the next five years.

“Sinn Féin will work constructively with this government and hold them to account, but they failed to listen to us for the past five years. More importantly, they failed to listen to those out there struggling with their mental health. Now is the time for them to listen and to take action.”