Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Chairman stated, this is a recruitment challenge. The community intervention team activity is running ahead, which assists to some extent in that regard. However, we continue to face a challenge in recruiting public health nurses.

On child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, the percentage of bed days used in CAMHS inpatient units is above the expected service plan level of activity. However, as the Chairman noted, the admission of children to CAMHS units is below target. This is due to acknowledged difficulties in retaining and recruiting specialist staff not only here, but throughout the European Union. Efforts are under way in that regard.