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

I will take the Deputy's comments on board. As far as I am aware, where there are supports available through the private sector an arrangement is agreed between the HSE and those private consultants or centres. The problem is that we are all fishing from the same pool. If one has an arrangement with a private organisation, the organisation might well be able to pay the person more than we can at present so that creates a difficulty. Obviously, we wish to improve our own services. What we are trying to do is ensure that fewer of our young people are going into CAMHS. When one looks at the amount of funding spent on young people in the mental health services, one sees that 80% of it is spent on 20% of young people. We must start considering the other 80% and how we can prevent them moving further along the scale. Obviously, that means there must be continued investment in education services, primary care and in posts other than just consultant posts.

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