Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of early intervention youth mental health services. Yesterday I met representatives of Youth Work Ireland in Buswells. This issue came up with the North Connaught Youth and Community Services, NCYCS, which has applied for funding for this initiative that provides brief intervention and support for people aged 12 to 25 who do not reach the threshold for the child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS. As we know, it is under serious pressure. We recently found out that in the community healthcare organisation, CHO, 1 area there has been a 35% increase in waiting times. The initiative to which I refer involves engaging with young people before they are in a situation whereby they need to go to CAMHS. NCYCS was assured by the HSE that funding would be provided, but there is a lot of foot-dragging. It set out to employ people, which has not happened. We need to know why that has happened. At the other end of the CHO 1 area, Cavan-Monaghan has the scheme up and running but not in Sligo-Leitrim. I need an intervention to ensure that the service is put in place because it is vital. It will catch young people in time before they get into a situation whereby they need to go to CAMHS.

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