Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for a comprehensive reply that, to be fair, deals with the issues have arisen. The problem is how soon we can expect a resolution. Patients and their families always look to know how quickly help can come. I am not so sure that it will come quickly enough. I saw a number of people who were there at midnight last night and I could see that they were not pleased. They were upset. They had been there for a long time, including all day or from mid-morning the day before. In those situations, there is a need for an urgent response. The child in question, who was under the care of CAMHS, has been looking for a place and a proper programme for the past two or three years but it has not happened. It cannot happen because there is no bed available in Stillorgan or any of the other places tried by the parents. It is very sad to see the parents crying while waiting for some kind of action. It only affects us all when it comes to our own door.

The time has come to take an initiative in respect of this hospital. I would suggest an immediate review of the facilities there and the number of staff available, on call and ready to work at any given time, particularly over the remaining winter months, to preserve the good name of the hospital because the staff are good if given the chance. It is not fair to them, the patients and members of the public who might become patients and it is not fair for the Minister of State, who has to repeat this again and again despite the fact that he has the best interests of all concerned at heart. I ask that this initiative be taken ahead of the winter initiative with a view to identifying the immediate problems.

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