James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Some 34% of mental health nurses are either eligible to retire now or within five years. By last August, 93 additional mental health nursing posts were filled. The issue is not being tackled. There are consistent criticisms from judges, in particular High Court judges. Anyone with a serious eating disorder is being made to travel to the UK, which has a further impact on people's mental health issues. Families must travel over just to see them. The President of the High Court, Mr. Justice Peter Kelly, has highlighted an oncoming issue arising from Brexit. All of the enforcement of children getting treatment in the UK - there must be two enforcement orders, one from the Irish High Court and a complementary one in the UK - is implemented under EU regulations and legislation, which could fall away. It will be a major crisis. As Mr. Justice Kelly pointed out, this issue is growing so quickly that it must now be financially, if not morally, viable - it was always moral - to provide these services in this country. We cannot keep exporting the treatment of vulnerable people to the UK. They need their treatments to be available in this country.

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