Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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My concern is that the current review of authorised officers will take in the current need for authorised officers. When this legislation comes into place, there will be additional needs and a greater need for authorised officers. It is incumbent on this review to take into consideration the Bill before us. That is my tuppence worth.

I have a couple of other questions. There was talk earlier about a direct connection between children admitted into adult mental health facilities. It was stated that 27 children were admitted into adult mental health facilities in 2020, which is very worrying, and that there was 0% compliance of codes of practices. There is a need for us, as a subcommittee, to make sure it is in the report. I would like witnesses' opinion on this in the context of the lack of early intervention for children. At present, 8,500 children are waiting for primary care psychology appointments, for example. Another 2,500 children are waiting for appointments with the child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS. Some of these children are waiting up to two years for appointments. Do witnesses think that connection needs to be referred to in the report from this subcommittee? It probably will not be included in the heads of the Bill, but I would like to know their thoughts on that because early intervention is key.