Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, for taking this Adjournment matter. Previously, I have raised the issue of the lack of a child psychiatrist for children with an intellectual disability in the mental health services in Louth. I have been perturbed lately to find that there is no child psychiatrist. I was in touch with the HSE and I was informed that interviews have taken place for the position but the executive has been unable to fill the post. I find it baffling and concerning that there is no child psychiatrist for children with an intellectual disability for the entire area.

Recently, I worked on the case of a constituent who had a child in need of such services, as are many other children according to reports from the disability services in Dundalk. They have several children in need of these services but they have been unable to provide them. More concerning was the fact that as the child in question was 16 years of age, paediatric services refused to consider him. Child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, have refused to consider him since he is over 16 years of age. They have also said they do not have a child psychiatrist to deal with intellectual disability issues. When the child was brought to the general practitioner, the parents were told that the doctor could provide sedation. I find it concerning - this ties into the second part of the Adjournment matter I have tabled - that there are no services, there appears to be no services or else there is a difficulty in getting services for children with an intellectual disability, especially in this age group.

The more I examine the matter, the more it appears that one Department is saying that people should go somewhere else and that it is not its responsibility. It is as if a magic switch comes on when children reach the age of 16 years. Exemptions and certain circumstances should be taken into consideration when children approach this magic age of 16 years. I had heard and read about this milestone but where are these children to go? We cannot turn around to parents and say we are sorry but that they should take their children home and do nothing. What if there are other family members or other people who need to be taken into consideration? It is important that the services are provided.

Having said that, I realise that disability services in the area are good and seem to be providing support for the people who need them. I have never heard anything but praise for the people who work there. However, I believe this needs to be examined as a matter of urgency for the many parents who do not have a voice or a place where they can raise the issue. I am raising the issue with the Minister of State tonight in the hope that she can do something for them.

When parliamentary questions are tabled Deputies get the same answer all the time to the effect that it is a matter for the HSE or that the Minister will refer the matter to the HSE. I spoke with the disability officer last week and I was told there was nothing the executive could do. To me, that is not an answer. We cannot simply sit back and say there is nothing we can do about it and decide that is it until it comes knocking on our door. I hope the Minister of State will give me some positive news this evening.