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

That is a separate issue, and there are a number of different matters relating to that. However, I am assuring the Deputy that this is not an issue with funding but with the recruitment and retention of nurses. There are improvements coming in that area.

I share the Deputy's concern for the well-being and mental health of young people and I want to have the best system and a system we can be proud of. Much good work is taking place and a great deal of money is going into it. I want to ensure we are getting value for the money and that the services are being provided where they are needed. Appropriate referrals is another issue, where people are left on inappropriate lists, are inappropriately referred and so forth. There are many challenges within the system that go far beyond the issue of funding. As I have said previously, the job would be very easy if it was just a matter of funding. There are challenges which we are seeking to fix and I hope we can make improvements on them over time.

See this speech in context