Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the programme for Government under the heading of greater access to mental health services in primary care, the Government made three specific commitments, namely, building further capacity in child and adolescent mental health services, more 24-7 service support and liaison teams, and mechanisms to attract and retain staff in this area. The Taoiseach will be aware that Dr. John Hillery, president of the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland, described the current system as shambolic and nothing short of a disgrace. He said he had to resign over the executive's inaction on mental health issues. It was reported in The Irish Timeson Monday that in the past year more than 300 Irish doctors this year have obtained working visas for Australia. What will the Government do to attract and retain staff in this area of the health service before it crumbles?

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