Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach as ucht an deis labhairt ar an ábhar seo tráthnóna inniu. I welcome the opportunity to discuss mental health services for children and adolescents. The promotion of positive mental health and well-being is important to us all and each of us, politicians, administrators and clinicians, have a role to play in this work. While I remain as open as ever to constructive criticism and realistic suggestions, I ask that objectivity and, above all, the best interests of service users are paramount in our debate today.

The pending resignation of three psychiatrists in the south-east region is the main issue before the House this evening. Yesterday, I met national and local HSE representatives who assured me that they are exploring every possible option to ensure that the vacancies in the south east's CAMHS are filled and to ensure continuity of service. I will be meeting them again on 3 July where they will provide me with a progress report.

Notwithstanding the global lack of availability of mental health specialists, the HSE is currently conducting an extensive advertising campaign to fill these vacancies. In order to provide immediate cover, it has established weekend consultant paediatric psychiatry clinics in Waterford by availing of support from Galway-based consultants. In addition, the HSE has been in contact with other CHO areas and with agencies both abroad and in the private sector to look for locum cover.

I wish to strongly restate the Government’s commitment to mental health. This is reflected in the allocation of an additional €200 million for mental health services since 2012. While this amount is significant by any standard I will continue to press for further resources annually in line with the Programme for a Partnership Government commitments.

The HSE 2018 service plan commits to further development of CAMHS. This is against a background where the demand for CAMHS has increased by 26% between 2012 and 2017. Approximately 18,800 referrals are expected for HSE CAMHS this year alone. To meet this demand, we have increased the supply of services. We have approved more than 2,000 new mental health posts since 2012. We now have 69 CAMHS teams and three paediatric liaison teams supported by about 75 CAMHS beds nationally. Further beds are planned to come on stream as quickly as possible. In addition, we have funded an extra 140 psychiatric nurse undergraduate places each year.

The recent appointment by the HSE of approximately 114 assistant psychologists and 20 psychologists will help to develop counselling services in primary care. Thirteen assistant psychologist posts have been introduced in CHO 5, which includes Waterford and Wexford. It is anticipated that these posts will deal with the less complex child and adolescent cases thereby reducing the demand on CAMHS.

A key focus for me is continued investment in innovative digital technologies to support access to prevention and early intervention services. I have examined IT initiatives in other countries and I believe that we can use these technologies in Ireland. The HSE has established a working group to progress a national telephone and text helpline and digital information supports for those requiring access to services. It is my intention that the roll-out of the new telephone helpline will commence before the end of this year. I have also requested the HSE to pilot a project providing remote access to counselling services in the primary care setting.

There is a broad range of initiatives under way or planned across mental health. I believe that these initiatives will help us to deal with the increased demand for mental health services. I look forward to a constructive and collaborative discussion.