Ms Eilísh Hardiman:

I can take the Deputy's query as it is a service matter. In my opening statement I raised the issue of the significant increase in mental health issues. This is not just in Ireland. From talking to staff in children's hospitals internationally, we know this is a global matter. We have seen a 58% increase in attendances in our hospitals in the second half of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019. We have also seen a significant 66% increase in children presenting with eating disorders. The HSE is investing a significant investment in the community for eating disorders, which is quite welcome. That is part of the 2021 investment.

CHI have been meeting with its child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, colleagues in the greater Dublin area and in the regions to implement this so that we catch these children earlier and treat them in the community before they have to attend acute hospital services. The new children's hospital has 20 beds assigned for mental health as part of the plan for inpatient mental health facilities. These are quite specialist beds. Twelve of them are for general mental health conditions, particularly children who are very young and may need intervention from medical colleagues as well as those in mental health. There are eight eating disorder beds. CHI is working with CAMHS colleagues to ensure that we are designing those beds so that they will be operational when the hospital opens.

This is a challenging area. From a child and adolescent perspective, it is the post-Covid element of care on which we need further engagement regarding the models of care are we need to implement and much more collaboration internationally. We must look at working with schools, local sports clubs and families so that we support our young people to be resilient and to deal with the challenges of growing up in modern society.