Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

At the weekend I was made aware of the tragic case of a 15 year old boy who was admitted to one of the major psychiatric hospitals in Dublin but who, sadly and unfortunately, ran away and who, within hours, was found dead. I am aware that there is a very young audience in the Public Gallery and I hate to tell such a gruelling tale. None of the psychiatric hospitals in Dublin will take young mentally ill adolescents as a result of what happened in the case to which I refer. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this matter following the Christmas recess because it is a tragedy for those who are suffering and for their parents and carers? The Leader of the Opposition, Senator Brian Hayes, referred to a knife attack by a nine year old on a 14 year old, so it is obvious that major problems exist. People are talking about this problem but little is being done to address it.