Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is an important question that relates to a very sensitive area. St. Louise's unit in Children's Health Ireland, CHI, at Crumlin is a specialist unit dealing with sexual assault trauma, offering therapeutic interventions to children and families. Timely access to the therapeutic services offered at St. Louise's unit is essential for families, and I note the extraordinary work of the staff in these services, providing a high standard of care to these vulnerable children, and by association their families, who have been through horrific situations.

CHI advises that since January 2021 it has seen a twofold to threefold increase in the number of referrals for assessment and therapy services. This has impacted on waiting times. The referral process has an average waiting time of six to eight weeks for the assessment and of up to five months for therapy services. The service is provided by a multidisciplinary team and the limitations on its availability can also impact on follow-up and longer-term therapy. CHl advises that a waiting list initiative, including face-to-face consultation and telephone support, is in place. I do not believe that the current wait time is acceptable, however, and I have asked my Department to engage as a priority with the HSE to seek viable solutions.

In response to the Deputy's question on the provision of the waiting list data, CHI has confirmed it expects to be in a position to provide timely waiting list data for any future requests received within the normal 15-day period for such requests.

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