Ward critcises Butler re-appointment as mental health minister

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

The Dublin Mid-West TD  was speaking following the re-appointment of Mary Butler as Minister for State for Mental Health.

Ward said since he was named Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on mental health in 2020 he said he would work “constructively” with Fianna Fáil minister Mary Butler but he said the last five years have been defined by “undelivered promises.”

He said that damning reports into mental health services and record waiting times have become a feature of the government “and on top oll of this, people’s lives have been put on hold and their outcomes have gotten worse,” he said.

He criticised the fact that Butler will be retaining the role.

“While continuity can be a good thing, a fresh approach is what was needed,” he said.

“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 5 years ago there was only 3 adult eating disorder beds in the country. She promised to prioritise this and guess what 5 years later and there are still only 3 beds.

“Demand has increased across the board for mental health supports and this government have failed to adequately address this.

Ward noted that “Sinn Féin have 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 their struggling with their mental health. Now is the time for them to listen and to take action.”