Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

While there has been a steady increase in the number of treatment hubs, there is still no funding for new inpatient beds. For people with eating disorders, it is usually for an extended period in an inpatient facility, which can be very difficult for the person. This treatment can be expensive and the process to get a bed can be so long that it means the person ends up needing more care.

The HSE spent more than €4 million sending seven people with eating disorders abroad for treatment in 2023. We need to stop sending extremely sick people abroad and put the much-needed money spent on the treatment abroad scheme into services here at home. People with eating disorders end up being referred to a general psychiatric unit, meaning they do not get the specialised care they need. Consistent funding is needed to provide much-needed beds, while more specialised teams are brought on board. It is a positive step in the right direction. Across the system, awareness and education has improved.

It is simply not enough. We need more investment and more beds now. However, I welcome a Limerick team coming into effect.

See this speech in context