The are calls for a Cabinet minister to be appointed to oversee a 10-year plan for overhauling mental health services, .
Former minister of state Kathleen Lynch says someone is needed at the Cabinet table to "keep the spotlight" on the issue.
The Government today published 'Sharing the Vision' outlining the state's mental health policy for the next decade.
Alternative access to emergency care and the use of digital resources feature in the plan.
The Mental Health Reform group has welcome the "progressive" plan, saying it believes that a Super Junior Minster for Mental Health is needed in the next government to "take political responsibility" for the plan.
While there is currently a minister of state for mental health, they do not attend Cabinet meetings.
Speaking on The Hard Shoulder, Kathleen Lynch - who served as minister of state for primary care, mental health and disability between 2011 and 2016 - says someone needs to be appointed at Government-level to make sure the plan is implemented.
She said: "I know there's an implementation group, but you do have to have someone sitting in Cabinet that keeps the spotlight on the issue and ensures that what is recommended happens - timeframe, funding and a responsible person."
Ian Power, CEO of SpunOut.ie, also said the plan needs to be backed with adequate resources.
He observed: "In many ways, at this moment in time, we need to know who is going to drive this forward.
"We need to have the new minister who is appointed to lead this... to outline very clearly the resources and the funding that's going to be put against it."
Mr Power said if the plan is properly resourced and implemented it could have a 'transformative' effect on mental health services here.
