Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I liaise constantly with the providers of eating disorder supports throughout the country. Many young people are now presenting with eating disorders or disordered eating. Last year, 504 children, young people and adolescents presented to the eating disorder teams. When this scheme was initially put in place in 2018, when the relevant data were in place, it would have been expected that approximately 50 children per year would present. Some 504 children needed these vital supports last year. I assume the Deputy is referring to community healthcare organisation 5. Funding has been provided for an eating disorder team in this area. Multidisciplinary team recruitment is under way, but it takes between 12 and 18 months to put a multidisciplinary team in place. There are also many inpatient supports for children with eating disorders. If the Deputy sends me on the relevant details, I will have a look at them.

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