Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank members, the Minister and the team. There are two issues. Years ago, there was not enough money in the allocation for home care. Now there is money but no staff. I know efforts have been put in to try to do that. That is crucial. It is showing up the challenges that are there, in both urban and rural Ireland. This will not be of any surprise, but in my region young people and kids who have fallen between different cracks find it hugely difficult to try and get a CAMHS consultation. It is becoming a major strain on families. I know everyone here is working on it but I ask them to make sure it is a priority. Across all sectors, members have mentioned adults with additional needs and disabilities whose families are worried about what is going to happen to them. That is something where a very serious policy needs to be looked at in terms of how that is and what services are available. A lot of the time, the layperson, for want of a better expression, does not know where to go looking for advice and stuff. There needs to be a clear pathway because that is becoming more and more pressing every day. They refer to their public representatives and others to try to guide them through the process, which can be hugely problematic. They are the couple of issues I would like to be taken from this morning's meeting.