Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

This is Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Tomorrow, a briefing will be held by relatives about this matter. Over the past 20 years there has been an absolute explosion in this most deadly, fatal mental illness. Yet, we still only have three beds for people with eating disorders. Some 200,000 people suffer with such disorders. Eight beds were to be opened at Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown. Nothing has happened. We need beds because this is such a complex mental health issue. Psychiatric hospitals are not able to deal with it. An all-round approach is needed. Outpatient clinics are also needed. When is the Government going to do something about this? For so many years, parents and sufferers have been in contact with me about the situation relating to the three beds. The Minister of State is sitting behind the Taoiseach. Nothing has happened in the past four years despite an explosion in the number of cases, particularly during the pandemic. Is this because, yet again, it is mainly women who suffer?

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