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

I agree with the Deputy that there is a gap within the services, but there are others that are available or were not mentioned. The self-harm intervention programme was established in Wexford in 2004. It caters for young people, aged 16 years and over. Last year 155 persons aged under 18 years were referred to it. There is the Ferns Diocesen Youth Service that provides services in Enniscorthy, Gorey, New Ross and Wexford town. It is for young people aged 13 to 25 years. There are four day hospitals, Tara House, Carn House, Summerhill and Maryville; as well as the nurse specialist liaison service that is available seven days a week and the suicide crisis assessment nurse, SCAN. I agree that there is a gap in the services, which is why, similar to the exercise happening in identifying where the gaps are in the sevens day a week service, progress has been ongoing with the HSE, service providers and the mental health teams to identify where consultant psychologist posts are not being filled within emergency departments on a 24-7 basis. They are working with the HSE to identify how they can implement the initiative in the best way possible, obviously including in Wexford. The assistant psychologist posts have been approved and recruitment is starting. That will happen throughout the country. It is a much needed support, not just in Wexford but also elsewhere.

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