A local Senator has supported calls for money seized by Gardaí as the proceeds of crime to be ringfenced for mental health services.
Joe O'Reilly says €16 million has been seized by the National Drugs Unit and CAB so far this year, and could go towards addiction services.
The proposal is being developed by former Olympic boxer Councillor Kenneth Egan and Fine Gael TD Neale Richmond.
Senator O'Reilly said the mental health services have been the "Cinderella" of the Irish health sector in terms of investment, and need additional supports.
In the Seanad, Senator O'Reilly said it's a different approach that should be investigated further: