Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this important issue. In my constituency of Galway East, parents are coming to my office with serious concerns about their children and the lack of CAMHS.

I am baffled by something. When a Bill is published, we can all say that it is not perfect and we can pick holes in it, but addressing that is what Committee Stage is for. It is a bit rich and cynical that this Bill would be deferred for nine months in what will probably be the last year of this Dáil. Time is of the essence. If there are things wrong with the Bill, let us put them right. Let us put the services right and have them regulated for our children.

I listened to some of the Deputies who spoke tonight. They all referenced issues in their constituencies. The most important point to remember is that this is about young people. As long as we are able, we should try to give every young person the best chance we can. We did not do that in bygone days. All of this stuff was brushed under the table and not even spoken about.

We put services in place but we have not supported them. The HSE has no badge of honour over what is happening. Something needs to be done urgently. I ask that the Government reconsider deferring this Bill for nine months. If there are amendments that the Government wants to make to it or if the Government wants to take it on, the Government will get the House’s support, but I am baffled to think that it would postpone the Bill for nine months.

I do not know what parents think when they hear this kind of talk. This situation has been going on for far too long. I meet parents who are beside themselves trying to get help for their children. They go to CAMHS but are told that their children are not bad enough, so they go home again. Beds are supposed to be available but there are no beds when it comes down to it. There is paper pushing, excuses and so on.

If we do not do something for our children’s mental health, then we will be going nowhere. I am very annoyed that this Bill would be deferred. It was an opportunity for the House to make some change for good. Based on the Mental Health Commission’s recommendations and what the Children’s Rights Alliance has been saying, everyone is crying out for regulation. The only body that seems to be pushing back on that is the Government. Shame on the Government for taking that attitude to such a sensitive subject in our country. I plead with it to reconsider what it is doing with the Bill.

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