Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are many commitments in the programme for Government around implementing A Vision for Change. One of these commitments is to build capacity in child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. A Programme for a Partnership Government says that the Government will "Provide more residential places for people with enduring mental health issues". There still are, however, very serious deficiencies in the provision of public health care in the State for those suffering with eating disorders. There are only three specialist beds in the State for people with adulthood eating disorders and there are no dedicated or inpatient CAMHS facilities for those in need of treatment for conditions such as anorexia and other eating disorders. The HSE estimates that up to 200,000 people in Ireland may be affected by eating disorders. There are 400 people newly diagnosed each year.

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