David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

Am I correct in saying that there are only 16 acute beds for children and adolescents in the country, none of which is in the south and all of which are in Galway or Dublin? What plans has the Minister of State to increase the number of such beds and what timescale has he set?

How come more than 3,000 children and adolescents now await psychiatric assessment? If it was a priority of the Government that it should not arise, how did that arise? What timescale has the Minister of State set to reduce this number to acceptable levels, in other words, to zero? What has he to say to parents who have children with psychiatric difficulties when no service is available at present? It is a failure. It is a disgrace. Will the Minister of State provide the House with some timescales and stop the blather? This is a life and death issue for many parents, families and young people.

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