Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses here today. These are the conversations we need to have. I firmly believe in talking and awareness. The World Health Organization identified mental health as one of the most important public health issues to promote, protect and invest in. We are not doing enough. I agree with the witnesses. I constantly hear about waiting lists, lack of resources and the barriers to access. Funding and recruitment are the biggest issues.

Last November, 2,223 children were on the HSE waiting list for child and adolescent mental health services. There are families who are living in a nightmare, they are doing their best but they are also affected. In situations where children and adolescents are left waiting, how can we help the wider family cope? Can we put something like a virtual waiting room in place where families can receive support from CAMHS? There is such a waiting list that there needs to be something available in the interim. Providers have told me that the first port of call for families in distress needs to be strengthened. Families are often referred to psychiatric services when there might be an alternative. That is another issue on which the witnesses might respond to me.

Should GPs be given tools to deal with less urgent cases? Often people are left on waiting lists for lengthy periods when other avenues could be examined rather than compel them to be referred by their GP.

On the age limit for CAMHS, does the service continue until the 18th birthday when an adult service kicks in or is it at 17 and a half years, when an adolescent can fall between two stools? I have seen some cases recently where that has happened.

My other question relates to my area of Carlow and Kilkenny. I have been asked this and I do not know the answer. When a child or adolescent displays disturbing behaviour, is there a facility in my area for them to be taken into? Information has been circulating but I want to clarify this. There are not many places nationally but can the witnesses tell me if there are any places in the Carlow Kilkenny area?

I am familiar with a case where a doctor has made four referrals to CAMHS, but the person in question did not meet the threshold. When a doctor refers a patient to CAMHS and they are refused four times because they do not meet the criteria, can the witnesses explain this? I think thresholds should be examined. Can the witnesses tell me more about that?

Is it the case that there are only 69 beds for minors in the whole country?

I am aware of four minors in the south east who are in adult wards because there are no suitable beds. I am very concerned about this.