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

I thank each of the Deputies. I know the sincerity every Deputy raising this issue brings to the table. It is not just today that I have seen that.

I have a few responses. On the Youth Work Ireland counselling service in Galway, I have undertaken to look at that for Deputy Rabbitte. There are issues with governance etc. in respect of some organisations that have received money. While I am not suggesting for a second that Youth Work Ireland is involved, the Deputy will appreciate that I can not give her detail now, but I will talk to her again.

We continue to try to fill staff vacancies and to build training. There have been a number of people coming in. The 114 assistant psychologists that have been taken on in primary care will make a big impact. They are supported by 20 full-time psychologists. That will be another level underneath CAMHS. That has been badly needed for years. That is the biggest help we can give to deal with the lists and the numbers that are piling in at the top of the CAMHS list.

On intervention, I appreciate what Deputy Ó Laoghaire is saying about not neglecting the upper level of the pyramid. We will continue to keep resources there. Deputy Ferris mentioned individual cases. He will appreciate I cannot go over those. Deputy Buckley spoke of 70 children. As I understand it, the CSO would dispute that number.

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