Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Dr. Muldoon for a very honest and in-depth report as always. In his opening statement, he said he was reappointed for the second and final time in 2021. I am sad to hear that.

I will raise a couple of cases. There is a case of a family in care where there were three little kids, Nina, Darren and Ben aged 12, 10 and nine years. Their foster parent was worried about them. The report stated:

They stated that once a child is confirmed as having been sexually abused in their area, HSE Primary Care Psychology would provide them with intervention. In such circumstances intervention is initially on a short-term basis for 6 to 8 sessions, however on a case by case basis longer-term intervention may be offered.

A little later the report continues:

They also reported it can prove very challenging for them to secure services to meet a child’s needs when longer term intervention is required but the child does not meet the threshold for CAMHS, whose remit is to provide intervention to children with moderate to severe mental health disorders.

The Principal Social Worker spoke about using the Tusla / HSE Joint Protocol to try to secure services but if the HSE determine that the child is not within their remit, even in circumstances where the child may be presenting with high levels of distress, they will not provide a service.

Dr. Muldoon’s report stated that we have to totally reform the child and adolescent mental health services, which we know are hugely dysfunctional and failing our most vulnerable children. He also spoke of concerns about CAMHS at this committee last year. Can he elaborate on where CAMHS is in serving children now? That is one question and there is a lot in it.

I am also interested in the schools issues. Dr. Muldoon said they account for about 53% of total complaints and 10% related to bullying, so 43% are on other issues. I met the Irish National Teachers Organisation, INTO, yesterday and was surprised that it is seeking funding to address issues within both primary schools and all schools. It has sought about €11 million in the next budget, which would work out at about €20 per child, for that. It stated that for that amount, mental health and counselling services could be provided that would nip issues in the bud in schools. Dr. Muldoon highlighted education being raised in 53% or 43% of complaints, so we can see there is an issue here. The organisation representing national school teachers is on the coalface and it sees the issues. It is asking the Government to help them. At €20 per child, surely that would represent value for money. Then there is trying to address issues of resourcing of school places.

The Joint Committee on Autism launched its final report yesterday. It contained strong recommendations on the educational side and the rights of a child to education. Everything has to be future-proofed and designed so it encompasses everybody. Dr. Muldoon’s opening statement referred to the difference between someone who might have autism who has a different disability and how we would get over that.

Will Dr. Muldoon comment on the INTO’s suggestion for funding at €20 a head. I have been in here a good many years and have been an advocate for mental health for 20 years and I never heard such a low figure which could address so much stress and demands on children today. It is 834,000 children.

That test case took a lot of time but it had a good outcome. It shows the power of an office that is working and that must be commended. I am very interested in where we are with CAMHS compared with last year. I do not think it will surprise me but it will be mice to have it on record.