Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Clarke for raising this very important issue. After I leave the Chamber I will discuss it directly with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who has responsibility for mental health. There are a number of actions that the Minister of State is already working on. I want to say that funding is not and will not be a constraint to this. There are real challenges around recruitment, retention of services and, more broadly, reform of CAMHS services. I will ask the Minister of State specifically to come back to the Deputy on what more can be done in the here and now. Nobody wants to see a child or young person left in a significant state of distress. Those numbers are far too high.

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