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

I thank Senators for their input to date. We are back to Report Stage on the amendment of a Bill that originated in this House and has been accepted in the Dáil. I am back to seek approval to accept that amendment. The amendment provides for the inclusion of "mental health" in section 6(1). It will now read, in part: "The object of Children’s Health Ireland is to improve, promote and protect the health, mental health and well-being of children". As the House knows, the objective of this Bill is to create a new body which will be responsible for the governance and management of the new children's hospital and associated outpatient and urgent care centres being developed in Connolly and Tallaght hospitals. The new children's hospital will include the facilities of a new 20-bed child and adolescent mental health inpatient unit. This unit will operate under the governance of he HSE rather than Children's Health Ireland. However, in providing services for which the new body will have responsibility, it will be mindful of children's mental health needs.I am looking for the support of the House to accept this amendment.