Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To what extent does the system operates in respect of children admitted to emergency departments with suspected self-harm or otherwise hospitalised? Is there a system whereby an investigative team can identify particular households and ascertain the causes for a child being referred in these ways? In a reply to a previous question, I was told that, in the space of one and a half or two years, 300 children aged between ten and 14 were referred to emergency departments having self-harmed. What is the underlying cause? How can the system deal with it? I applaud child care workers for doing what is a very responsible job. It is a difficult job and the public can often be very critical. I am concerned about adequate resources being available and that they can be deployed as necessary.

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