Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

To me, having this in the Bill is to admit they do not see the proper resources being directed to youth mental health in the future. To have that nil part in there would be very welcome.

I have heard anecdotal evidence and have spoken to people who work in facilities. There are people who got in touch with me because their 17-year-old son or daughter - it is mainly sons - were admitted into an adult psychiatric unit basically due to their size rather than their age, because they are big lads and it is felt they are more appropriate to the adult unit. That should not be considered appropriate. We should have a children's mental health service that deals with all children, irrespective of size or anything else that is going on.

In regard to the independent advocacy services mentioned by Dr. Muldoon, I want to tease out one line from his opening statement, namely, “we are of the view that appropriate advocacy services need to be made available to all children who wish to avail of them, irrespective of means, and that children should be supported to access such services.” In particular, I want to tease out the phrase “irrespective of means”. Does Dr. Muldoon have concerns that there will be a cost to this advocacy service? Are there sufficient provisions in the Bill to make this advocacy service available to everybody free of charge and at the point of entry?