Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
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I apologise for missing my earlier slot. I had to go to another meeting. I thank all of the presenters here today. I am very aware of the CAST project in Limerick and its workings. I compliment Superintendent Smart and the team for the wonderful work they are doing there. I note its report highlights a gap. Where somebody is detained and receives a letter to go back to centre, be it to the hospital or services, I know there is a call-back facility, but should it be made definite under the Act that somebody needs to go back for the treatment? Should it be made compulsory that they should do so? I know it would be very difficult to implement.

Other people have spoken about youths and adults being in the same place at the same time, for example unit 5B in University Hospital Limerick. Only one underage person has been in unit 5B in the past year or two but, in saying this, it does happen from time to time. I am very aware of a family whose son has been in and out quite a bit. It is not the ideal situation for an underage person to be with adults. Does the Department or organisations on the mental health side have plans for how this difference can be implemented?