Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach will be aware of Emma O'Sullivan, a young woman in Cork city who has had to start to fundraise to get treatment for an eating disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, OCD. She is fearful that she will never recover from these illnesses through the public mental health system. Emma has no choice but to seek costly private treatment. People are being incredibly generous in donating, including a bake sale at Ballinlough community centre at the weekend. A bake sale to raise money for potentially life-saving treatment is a glaring indictment of public eating disorder care in Ireland. Emma is not alone. Many, mainly young women, are in the same position. I have continuously raised this issue. Every time I do, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, or the Taoiseach have given me the same assurances of more funding and improved care. I do not doubt their sincerity but cases like Emma's reveal the reality. What is going to be different this time?

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