Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)

In July 2020 there were 2,112 children waiting on a first-time appointment with CAMHS. Of those, 747 had been waiting for over a year. According to the reply I received this morning to a parliamentary question, there are 4,554 children now waiting on a first-time appointment with CAMHS, of whom 763 have been waiting for over a year. This is an eye-watering increase of more than 200% in children waiting on a first-time appointment. These are not just numbers. The Tánaiste knows this. They are not just numbers; they are children that have been identified as reaching the threshold for having severe or moderate mental health needs and they are in distress. Their parents are no longer wondering when their child will get treatment; they are now wondering if they will ever get treatment. My question is very simple. It has been two years since the CAMHS waiting list reached that threshold of 4,500 children waiting. What immediate action will the Government take today to, at least, address those who have been waiting over a year for a first-time appointment with CAMHS?

See this speech in context