Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I can see Deputy Jack Chambers replacing Deputy Billy Kelleher soon as health spokesperson for Fianna Fáil.

Child and adolescent mental health services outside the hours of nine-to-five Monday to Friday are non-existent in many parts of the country. If one has a referral accepted, nobody can lift a finger to help the child, unless the consultant psychologist assesses him or her. There is usually one in each child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, team. If a child is assessed and qualifies for child psychology services, he or she will go on an endless waiting list. The HSE informed my office last week that it was recruiting to fill 120 assistant psychologist posts. The persons concerned will work within the primary care service under the supervision of clinical psychologists. Does the Minister know when the posts will be filled? Will any of them be filled in Wexford? Are there plans to extend the hours of availability of CAMHS services in Wexford and other parts of the country that are being failed by the HSE?

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