Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The news that broke on Tuesday was of extreme concern to the people of Cork. There was nobody available from the CAMHS teams to see anyone who presented in Cork city last Monday. If a child presented as self-harming or suicidal at the accident and emergency departments of either the Mercy Hospital or Cork University Hospital, there was no psychiatrist there to see them. That situation beggars belief.

I know the Minister of State visited Cork a number of months ago and heard about the situation and the services that were available. While there is credit due to her for coming down, it also means she is familiar with the situation. At that time, responding in Leaders' Questions in respect of the issue, the Taoiseach led us to believe that no stone would be left unturned and that every effort would be made to ensure that all resources would be provided to resolve the crisis. Nonetheless, we see a situation in which one of the most fundamental and crucial mental health services for children and adolescents in Cork has been found wanting and left short.

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