Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is shocking to see the CAMHS services in such disarray. It is no different in Laois-Offaly than in any other constituency or region. It is troubling that we have a serious tsunami of cases. In November 2021, some 3,357 children were awaiting CAMHS services. Of those, more than 221 had been waiting for more than a year. What is happening is very serious. I know from my offices, which are no different to those of any other Deputy, that parents are coming in crying in desperation and looking for help and support. It is wrong that we cannot give them the required help and support.

Look at the millions of euro lashed on advertising during the Covid-19 pandemic and on contracts with firms such as Kensington, for example, in respect of services in the context of people's documents and statements. I refer to the money spent on such activities, and yet we cannot help our own people. There is something seriously wrong. This country, this nation, is broken and there is absolutely no compassion, fairness, help or support for people. If we do not get to these children in time and, unfortunately, many of them have not been reached in time, then they are going to suffer more as adults.

What sort of a society are we if we cannot reach out and help those people by giving them the basic services? I do not need to repeat that CAMHS is chronically underfunded and that there is a lack of specialist care. I am deeply shocked, however, that the Birr community mental health service has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic. There is no justification for that. Many adults have come to me with desperate situations. The Minister of State is familiar with Birr and the area. We have had nothing. This is a basic and vital service, but it has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic. Therefore, I call on the Minister of State to look at this situation, and I would appreciate any help and any intervention she might be able to make in this regard. It is a serious situation. The people of Birr and the surrounding areas deserve better. Our children in Laois-Offaly and in every constituency deserve better as well.

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