Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State mentioned 33% more referrals to CAMHS. She is right that there have been more referrals but there were also more children referred to CAMHS and not accepted because they did not meet the criteria. That is right across the board. It is different in different CHO areas. In one CHO area, the acceptance rate will be 60% or 70% but in the neighbouring CHO area, the acceptance rate will be an awful lot lower. We need to have uniformity of care because a postcode lottery of care has developed under this Government.

I am going to talk about just one of the recommendations, No. 1. It is that: "The immediate and independent regulation of CAMHS by the Mental Health Commission must be put in place to ensure" that the Mental Health Commission has the statutory powers to oversee CAMHS. The Minister of State mentioned that in her previous intervention. People cannot wait. Children cannot wait for this legislation. Deputy Cullinane and I have submitted legislation to the Bills Office and it will come before the Oireachtas very soon. Will the Minister of State accept recommendation No. 1 and support us on this matter?

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