Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. His experience will be similar to that of many in this House who have been talking to parents, teachers, doctors and psychologists and who will be aware of the increasing demands on young people's mental health, in part due to the pandemic and in part due to other challenges and pressures they face. That is why we are investing very significantly in mental health services. The total allocation for mental health services this year is €1.2 billion, which is the highest ever. It is needed because of the very high level of demand. Of that, about €137 million is provided to CAMHS. About €80 million was provided to community-based mental health organisations last year, with a significant proportion of that dedicated to services for children and young people.

In addition, recruitment is under way for a new post of a youth mental health lead at assistant national director level in the HSE and also for a new clinical lead for youth mental health. The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Butler, has recently completed a series of round-table talks bringing together officials from the Department of Health, the HSE and other stakeholders in youth mental health to drive improvement in CAMHS, with a focus on leadership and clinical expertise. The Deputy will also be aware of the announcements made recently by the Minister for Education, Deputy Foley, and the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, on counselling being provided in schools.

With regard to CAMHS reforms, the Deputy is particularly interested in the north Tipperary team, based in Nenagh and which also has clinics in Roscrea and Thurles. All service users in north Tipperary, but also those in south Tipperary requiring inpatient care, are referred to Éist Linn in Cork. Jigsaw Tipperary, which is based in Thurles, opened in 2021 and currently has a waiting time of around four weeks to access a first appointment. I am glad to say this is currently the shortest waiting time in the State.

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