Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for giving me the opportunity to address this issue, which has been a matter of concern for a number of Deputies and Senators for some time. There are currently 60 child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, beds operational nationally. This is up from 48 in early summer and will increase further once Linn Dara resumes its full capacity of 22. There are currently 20 operational beds in both Cork and in Galway, eight in Fairview and 12 in Linn Dara.

In June last, due to staffing difficulties, some beds in Linn Dara could not take new admissions. This, unfortunately, left Linn Dara with just half of its 22 bed complement operational. For those discharged for clinical reasons, the HSE provided dedicated follow-on supports from the community-based CAMHS service, where deemed necessary. The executive has also made available the CAMHS day service, as appropriate in individual cases, to enhance supports for young people and their families. The operational difficulties that faced Linn Dara recently arose from problems in recruiting and retaining mental health professionals. Staffing cover had to be augmented in recent times through methods such as staff working additional hours, overtime and engaging agency staff. Funding availability is not the issue in this case.

A phased opening of the closed beds in Linn Dara is planned for the week beginning 30 October, with a graduated increase in bed capacity. The HSE aims to be back at the full capacity of 22 beds by mid-November. This is similar to the approach taken when the unit increased bed capacity originally. The HSE is required to provide advance notification to the Mental Health Commission of its reopening plan.

The HSE has been exploring every option to resume normal operational levels and to maximise the use of Linn Dara in the future. The executive has intensified its efforts on recruitment, and a number of staff have been identified to join the service. The Deputy may rest assured that all efforts will continue to be made to address ongoing service difficulties at Linn Dara, with a view to reopening beds as quickly as possible.

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