Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Provisional figures indicate that, for 2021, referrals received were up by 5,171 on the previous year. In total, 22,600 children were referred. There are now 73 CAMHS teams, compared with 49 in 2008, and we have three paediatric liaison teams as well. There are more than 1,000 CAMHS staff, including 660 clinicians, and 93% of consultant psychiatrist posts are filled. Last year, with the money I secured in the budget, we recruited 53 more clinical staff into CAMHS teams all over the country.

The Mental Health Commission is hoping to start its review in two weeks. It has secured two consultant psychiatrists, one from Scotland and the other from Ireland, to ensure it is independent. The HSE audits will start in this quarter. There is quite a lot of work to put in place, which I will explain if there is time.

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