Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We currently have 820 people working in CAMHS, with 225,000 appointments issued last year. There were 12% more referrals last year and in 2021, there was 33% more referrals. By the end of 2024, there will be more than 900 people working in CAMHS. I have received that funding in the budget. As late as yesterday evening, I had a meeting about these posts being put in place. One of the issues we are examining is geographical spread. It is really important in respect of this postcode lottery that when we are recruiting, the geographical spread is really important for children wherever they live in the country. I had that meeting yesterday with the Department and the HSE.

I am a big supporter of social prescribing. It is a really great initiative. We mostly work with adults in social prescribing but it has been a game-changer for many people who might have felt disadvantaged or who might have felt outside their community.

See this speech in context