Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Deputies. We face two difficulties. One is the recruitment in respect of the consultant posts.

Unfortunately, there is a very high turnover in our mental health services, particularly in the child and adolescent mental health services. As it is high-intensity work, it can be very challenging so people tend to move on more quickly than they might elsewhere. Another difficulty is that there is a huge number of young people on lists who possibly need not be on the lists. The child and adolescent mental health services are for those who are at most high risk and who have the most severe problems with psychosis, severe depression and eating disorders. Due to the lack of supports at primary care level we are finding that young people are being referred when they should not be, so obviously more supports must be put in place at that level. We have approved €5 million for 114 assistant psychology posts which will work within the primary care centres. Hopefully, that will take some younger people away from the CAMHS teams and their waiting lists, which will free them up for more severe cases. However, I must stress that those who present with severe issues either to a GP or an accident and emergency department and must be seen immediately are generally seen within 24 hours. The recruitment of staff continues to be a problem but it is a priority for the HSE.

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