Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy knows, I cannot comment on any individual case. If he sends the details to my office, we certainly will look at them. A similar case, which had got newspaper headlines, was raised by another Deputy last week. However, the Deputy did not send me the details. It is very difficult to answer questions in the Chamber about such critical cases, where young people need support for eating disorders, if we are not made aware of them. I cannot discuss any individual case on the floor of the Dáil but my officials certainly will check out the matter.

I am very conscious of the number of eating disorder and self-harm referrals in the past 12 months, especially concerning young girls. As I indicated, I have moved to reinstate funding of €3.94 million for the national clinical programme for eating disorders. There are inpatient supports available for young people with eating disorders, including in Galway, Cork and at the two inpatient units in Dublin. We also, on occasion, have a service level agreement with private providers. If the Deputy forwards the details of this particular case, we will have a look at it.

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