Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegates for their presentations.

If the target of €108 million cannot be realised, what will be the consequences and what services will be hit? With regard to access to assessments for young children with behavioural conditions such as autism or paranoia, waiting times are consistently in breach of those stipulated in the Disability Act. They can be from two to eight months. Is there a budgetary provision to address the waiting lists? In the mental health budget is there a provision to tackle the shortage of child psychiatrists? I know of cases where young children presenting with suicidal tendencies or who have attempted suicide are being seen only by social workers because there are no psychiatrists available.