Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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I thank the witnesses for coming before the committee to give their evidence. I am a GP as well as a TD, so I have an understanding of the difficulties in the child and adolescent mental health services.

Are many referrals inappropriate to CAMHS? It seems to be the default referral option because there are a lack of counselling and psychological services in the community. The default position is to refer a child or an adolescent to CAMHS, even though we may feel it might not be the most appropriate referral to make. There is a lack of talk therapy and counselling in general practice and in the community.

Second, is there a lack of integration in services because we have GPs, CAMHS, NEPS, Tusla and voluntary organisations? It would be ideal if there was a one stop shop, where one could have a filtering mechanism to decide which is the most appropriate place to send a child. I do not think the psychiatric services are necessarily the appropriate services for many children. Will the witnesses comment on that?

Is there a computerised system where one could have integrated services where one could identify the most appropriate location for people to go to?In the programme for Government there is a proposal to introduce mental health well-being into the junior certificate. Are the witnesses aware of that proposal? Will it happen?

Are the front-line staff in CAMHS involved in HSE management structures to guide them on the best pathway? Quite often decisions are made which make no sense to those who are on the front line.

Chairman:Who will answer that? I invite Dr. Murtagh to respond.