Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In fairness, many of my questions have been answered. One was to get all the representatives to discuss how their reviews highlight how the emergency placement process needs to be improved, and also to discuss the need for planning by the HSE and Tusla.

We spoke about out-of-hours services. I have come across this issue a few times recently and therefore want to know the plans of all the representatives, because we need a plan of action. Something needs to be considered.

I do not know whether the HIQA representatives can discuss the number of children with disabilities living in residential settings. There is concern that there are centres subject to reductions. This needs to be examined, along with all the related issues.

I was looking for progress on the recommendations of Families for Reform of CAMHS. This group comprises 380 families across Ireland and was set up at the beginning of the summer of 2023. When I examine the figures, I see 22,000 children are referred to CAMHS every year, 16,000 children are awaiting appointments, and 4,400 children are waiting for first-time CAMHS appointments. While I welcome the representatives' answers today and realise they are all aware of this issue, I am wondering about the supports available for families. They need support. Having spoken to families, I realise they are crying out for help. They, too, need support from the system, which is letting them down. I talk to families regularly.

Families for Reform of CAMHS refers to ten key reforms. I welcome the comment on all the various agencies working together. This is so important because it can be hard when working with different agencies. I understand that. Reform No. 10 stood out for me because the report states that, of the 23% of members of Families for Reform of CAMHS who submitted a complaint, 74% were not happy with how it was handled. It also states 35% of its members would like to submit a complaint but are worried about how it would affect their child's care. According to the Ombudsman's survey, only 11% of children believed CAMHS staff listened to them and 27% believed the staff were dismissive. What progress will the witnesses try to make regarding complaints procedures? The complaints procedure will be crucial. If someone is afraid to complain because it might make things worse, it is a major issue. To me, it is a major issue.

On behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Butler, with whom I work very closely and whose commitment I am aware of, I contend that families going through what I describe and waiting for their children to be assessed are significantly impacted. As with everything, early intervention is the cure, no matter what age someone is. Early intervention is needed, and it needs to be as early as possible.

The other area where the system falls down concerns follow-ups. People come to me who are trying to get a follow-up. A person might be doing really well for a while, which is good, and then get a setback all of a sudden, at which point they find it very hard to get back into the system and get a follow-up. What is the system for follow-ups?

We have made strides. Funding is a huge issue. Covid changed many things and highlighted many areas that needed to be highlighted, but we need to do a lot more in these areas. Even regarding funding, which is so important, there is a need for joined-up thinking and a plan to allow follow-ups for everybody and ensure families can get help. A proper procedure plan also needs to be put in place in all quarters so those who wish to make a complaint will be listened to.

I thank the witnesses. I had many more questions but they have all been answered.