The PLC notes that the issue of mental health continues to be of paramount important and recommends that all Budget 2018 plans take the needs of women and girls into account. In its submission to the National Women’s Strategy, the PLC highlighted the need for further work in this area, and set out a comprehensivereview of the need to address current failings in this area. This call is now repeated. The PLC now urges the Government to carry out a full assessment of current needs and to ringfence funding for the provision of the same level of high care both in urban and rural areas which will address all aspects of antenatal and perinatal mental health care.
In addition, there is an urgent need to address the phenomenon of post-abortion trauma and grief. State support for organisations such as abortion recovery group Women Hurt is vital to prove that the Government acknowledges this internationally recognised effect of abortion on women. The PLC recommends the provision of geographically targeted funding in Budget 2018 to provide the required services to meet the mental needs of all women in Ireland.