Storing up problems for the future

Yesterday, in a typically convoluted way, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny used more than 700 words to preface a couple of questions, and the Taoiseach beat around the bush with more than 600 words evading the answers.

Mr Kenny then summarised his two questions in a mere 46 words.

He asked if the Taoiseach believes psychiatrists were deliberately maintaining long waiting lists, and if he found repeated questions about problems of mental health tiresome. The Taoiseach replied, “The answer to both questions is a ‘No’.”

Flogging Tim O’Malley over his gaffe about waiting lists should not be allowed to become a diversion.

The focus should be primarily on doing something for children in need of mental help.

Yesterday, a frightening report was published about recidivism in our jails.

Many of the prisoners have mental problems. Some of the children with mental difficulties today are likely to be the recidivist prisoners of the future, unless something is done to help them now.

Ignoring the problem is not saving money, but merely deferring the cost until it will become that much greater in both financial and social terms.

Young Jason Kelly, the seven-year-old featured on the Prime Time programme, is obviously deeply loved by his parents, who are desperately seeking help for him.

At the very least, the minister, the Department of Health, or the Health Service Executive should have announced that they are already doing something specific to help the young people featured on the Prime Time programme.

Their failure compounds the gaffe.