Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

Does the Minister of State agree there is an urgent need to ensure proper beds and facilities for children under 16? The Irish College of Psychiatrists recommends in the report that the Minister of State mentioned that there be 144 beds available for people under 16. However, at present there are approximately 20 in the country. When those between the ages of 16 and 18 are included, it is clear that an extra 80 beds are required, making a total of 224. There are very few or no dedicated services for those aged between 16 and 18. In my area, there are children as young as 13 in adult psychiatric hospitals.

Does the Minister agree that it is totally appropriate, since as many as 18% of children under 16 and 20% of those between 16 and 18 will experience serious psychological or psychiatric problems? One must bear in mind that 11,500 people, mainly young, attended accident and emergency departments having attempted suicide last year. Does the Minister agree that the lack of child and adolescent psychiatric services is a factor in that level of attempted suicide and in successful suicides among young people? It is accepted that early intervention of a psychiatric or psychoanalytical nature among children and adolescents prepares them for difficulties experienced later. The lack of intervention for those in crisis is a major risk factor in levels of suicide and attempted suicide.

The ongoing highlighting by the Irish College of Psychiatrists and others of the lack of services in the context of the level of attempted and successful suicides is a serious issue.

See this speech in context