Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My intention was to go last so as not to take time from anybody. In fairness, Deputy Munster has dealt with a considerable amount of information on Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, including the warnings relating to the emergency department. On Thursday, 10 October, Fórsa, the INMO and SIPTU organised a large demonstration and protest outside the hospital, but that is not what we want to see. We want to see what the nurses and medical staff are asking for, which is safe staffing. They talked about the absolute disaster that was the moratorium and the suppression of posts.

I will deal with one section of the health service. I was at a meeting last night in the Clan na Gael Hall in Dundalk on Maxi's law. Unfortunately, we had the tragic loss of Mark Maxi Kavanagh recently, which brought to light the issue of mental health services.

This request will be put to all politicians. It relates to equality of access. It is the difference between someone who has VHI or other private health insurance and someone who does not. We do not have enough beds in Crosslanes. The bed provision in Louth-Meath is below the State average, although the State average is nowhere near where it needs to be. Even the answers to parliamentary questions at this time state that 55 positions are vacant in Louth-Meath mental health services and that is before we get into the idea of suppression of posts.

I will bring up a specific issue about CAMHS. Anyone who has phoned CAMHS in Dundalk in the past two weeks will get a warning stating that CAMHS north Louth is experiencing a crisis in administration, the number of administration staff has been cut, there is only one person working three days per week and calls will only be answered between 10 a.m. and 12 noon on Mondays and Fridays. It goes on to state the clinician will try to continue with appointments and will answer the door for appointments, but that is all. While the service is trying to do that, CAMHS north Louth believes certain functions will be compromised. Then it asks for feedback. I can imagine the feedback. I and other elected representatives are getting it. None of this is good enough in any way, shape or form. We need to get serious across the board. If we are talking about-----

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