Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have the height of respect for the work that the Minister of State has been doing. However, I can only be honest and say that I am completely disappointed with this response. Saying that progression is in at an early stage is fine, but how long more will that take for the 16 year old child? The psychiatrist who was there retired a year ago. He was an adult psychiatrist who kindly took an issue and dealt with disability services for children.

I was told last Friday, following the report back from CAMHS, that there is nothing that can be done for that child because he is 16. It is like a magic number and services are cut off after that age. The more I delve into it, the more parents and children I have seen. There was a dreadful case before Christmas and we cannot afford to let this go. The centre for excellence is in Drogheda in County Louth. A new mental health unit will open up in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, which is brilliant, but something has to be done and I plead with the Minister of State tonight to take on board all the children with an intellectual disability, no matter what age they are. This is such a serious matter. I have the height of respect for the work done by the Minister of State, but I will be back and I will keep pushing this.