Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will know, the model of care for the national clinical programme for eating disorders was launched in 2018 and since I took office in July 2020, I have prioritised its roll-out. Multidisciplinary eating disorder teams for adults and CAMHS are being rolled out throughout the country. There are now 11 teams in place, comprising six adult teams and five for child and adolescent mental health services. Earlier this year, I announced the establishment of a new adult team for CHO 7, which will cover the areas of Kildare-west Wicklow, west Dublin, south Dublin city and south-west Dublin, bringing the number to 12. To date, more than 100 posts are funded under the national clinical programme. More than 80 eating disorder clinicians, including ten consultant psychiatrists, are now treating people with eating disorders. Last year, the HSE made a dedicated investment of €8.1 million under the clinical programme.

As for the Deputy’s question about CHO 3, when I was meeting all the clinicians prior to the budget, I put a heat map on the wall and we looked at areas in the country that did not have these services, and that is where my priority went in this budget. I have good news for the Deputy this morning as I am pleased to confirm that under budget 2025, I have allocated funding for a further two eating disorder teams next year, which will include a CAMHS team in the mid-west. This will bring the total number of teams nationwide to 14. CHO 3, therefore, covering Limerick, north Tipperary and Clare will get an eating disorder team for CAMHS, which will comprise ten whole-time equivalent staff. I am delighted to be able to give the Deputy that information.

See this speech in context