John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The number of families in Carlow and Kilkenny attempting to access child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, services is increasing. They simply cannot access those services. I asked this question previously. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, answered on the day, but nothing has changed. In 2023, one family's GP referred them to CAMHS. They were seeking access to a child psychiatrist. The child was at home and unmanageable. Since then, nothing has happened. Now, the GP is again writing to CAMHS imploring it to do something to help this child. I come across many cases like that. Improvements have to be made. Families like this should get access, either privately or through the CAMHS system. Some intervention has to happen. I would welcome a response from the Taoiseach.

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