Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me speak on the important issue of eating disorders. These disorders have become increasingly prevalent, especially among young people. There is a need to provide funding and resources to deal with the problems experienced by individuals and their families who have to face the terrible trauma of anorexia, the more prevalent bulimia and binge eating.

The 2006 report of the expert group on mental health policy, A Vision for Change, estimated that 200,000 persons are affected by eating disorders in Ireland. Each year, a total of 400 new cases emerge and, alarmingly and sadly, these result in approximately 80 deaths. Eating disorders are more prevalent among females in the 15 to 40 years age group. Approximately 4,000 people suffer from anorexia and 15,000 suffer from bulimia. One in ten males suffer from anorexia and bulimia. An estimated 7,000 adolescents currently live with bulimia or anorexia. Approximately 500 of these will die of medical complications or suicide.

Alarmingly and more tragically for these young people and their families, there are no designated public services in Ireland for the management of eating disorders in children or adolescents. The Minister must ensure the provision of appropriate intervention, which is so important, because without the necessary supports, the parents of a young person who has an eating disorder have few options. This is a frustrating situation which makes people angry. Local GPs can do nothing as they have nowhere to which they can refer young people. When a young person deteriorates to a serious extent, he or she is admitted to hospital through the accident and emergency department. We do not want this to happen.

In many cases, eating disorders are caused by low self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Early intervention such as counselling is important, as having someone to talk to can help build up a young person's self-esteem and help prevent full-blown anorexia. Child psychiatrists are non-existent, regardless of whether one is a public health patient or a member of the VHI. Many parents are driven to distraction and have to bombard their GPs and accident and emergency units to get attention for their sons and daughters.

Only three beds are designated in the public health service for persons with eating disorders but they are for patients aged over 18 years. Two eight-bed units operate in the private sector, in St. John of God's Hospital and in St. Patrick's Hospital in Dublin. The turnaround is very slow in this area as it takes a long time to reach recovery and the needs that exist are not being serviced. What is required is a dedicated bed capacity with the establishment of multidisciplinary teams in each Health Service Executive area.

Given that early intervention in this area is so important, we also need significant investment in child and adolescent mental health services. The situation is becoming difficult and alarming. Media reports appear every day about how eating disorders are affecting young people but media images also affect young people. Thankfully, the Madrid fashion council would not accept size zero models but the UK continues to accept them. I shudder to think what size they are.

All these issues have an effect on young people who are bombarded with images by the media, through the Internet and international television. This is a serious issue. There is a sad deficit of public and private services to address the problem of eating disorders. I am delighted the Minister of State with special responsibility for children, Deputy Smith, is present in the House to take on board what I have said and address this issue, but not in terms of A Vision for Change which would take too long to implement. We need services to be provided as a matter of urgency.

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