Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As this is my first time addressing the Dáil, I beg the indulgence of the Ceann Comhairle before I move to the substantive statement of the day. First, I thank the people of Dublin-Rathdown for their confidence in electing me to this Dáil. I thank in particular the residents of Clonskeagh, Kilmacud, Stillorgan, Mount Merrion, Leopardstown, Foxrock and Cabinteely who supported me not only in the general election but also in the local elections held earlier in the year. I also thank my friends, family and supporters who campaigned with me through two elections and all types of weather. I could not have done it without them. I specifically thank the former Minister, Josepha Madigan, in whose footsteps I am following here today. She was very much a mentor to me throughout all my elected years. Finally, I thank my husband, Colm, who has always been a constant supporter and advocate for me.

Before I was elected, I was a lecturer in TU Dublin, and, therefore, I have been working with young people on a day-to-day basis for the past number of years. As a result, I have seen at first hand the importance of mental health to both personal and professional success. I have also seen, unfortunately, over the past number of years the continuing legacy of Covid-19 among our young people. It is why the issue of mental health among young people is something that is particularly important to me. Supporting people from an early age with support and resources is important, but that also needs to be continued through their adolescent and post-adolescent years to ensure they can live fulfilling and joyful lives, to which we are all perfectly entitled.

An area of mental health about which I wish to speak today is one that was raised repeatedly by many parents, friends, family and young people directly with me while I was working in TU Dublin, namely, the issue of eating disorders. A report of the Health Research Board found that up to 25% of hospital admissions for under-18s related to such illnesses. That is how prevalent it is. It is, unfortunately, one of the mental health illnesses that can be terminal. It has one of the highest terminal rates and, therefore, is a very serious disease and not one to be treated lightly. I acknowledge the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, for raising the issue of eating disorders in the last term of Government. She did a lot to raise awareness of the issue and worked to improve services in this area. I appreciate all of that.

One of the largest concerns that parents raised with me, as acknowledged by the Minister of State, is the waiting list to access CAMHS. Parents can quite easily recognise an eating disorder but trying to access support for it is increasingly frustrating. I have spoken to many parents who have had to try to manage the situation themselves. It is very challenging and frustrating for them. I welcome the Minister of State's efforts to try to reduce those waiting lists in order to get parents and their children the supports they urgently need.

The other key concern those parents have is what happens when their children turn 18 and are no longer able to access the services in CAMHS. The goals of the national clinical programme for eating disorders for 2025 are to develop transition pathways between CAMHS and adult eating disorder teams. Creating those linkages is absolutely vital in ensuring young people can continue with that support. It will mean those young people who are on the path to recovery can continue to be supported and can continue to improve their mental and physical health and live those joyful and fulfilling lives.

With early intervention, eating disorders can be prevented from becoming a lifetime illness. That is why it is so important. It is one of the things on which we can actually do something and turn people's lives around.

I welcome that we have an eating disorder treatment hub in Mount Carmel Community Hospital in my own constituency of Dublin-Rathdown. I visited it last week with the Minister for Health, Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to open the first of six new surgical hubs in the country. Those sorts of facilities within the community are vital in order to provide surgical treatment and mental health treatments as well. I very much welcome them. I also welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to enhance provision for adult and youth inpatient beds for eating disorders, as has been addressed by several speakers today. We need more beds and inpatient and outpatient services. Every person is different. Every person is on a different journey and that range of services is absolutely essential in order to help them on their pathway to recovery.

I also want to acknowledge that the mental health Bill is coming back to us. I look forward to it helping to address some of the issues I have raised today and to improve the mental health service and champion the needs of those who rely on its services. I look forward to continuing to champion these issues for the people of Rathdown throughout my term in the Dáil.

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