Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this very important matter. He has been very consistent on the lack of services. The CAMHS intellectual disability model of service is being progressed in CHO 3 and CHO 5. It reflects the ongoing commitment of the Government and the HSE to ensure that mental health services for children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities are on a par with services available to those in the general population. This objective will be enhanced with record funding of €1.2 billion for mental health in budget 2023. The new HSE service plan for next year has now been finalised.

Senator Ahearn raised the question of reimbursing parents who spend up to €9,000 because of the lack of services. That is a fair comment. The service should have been in place. The services will be available eventually but parents are at the pin of their collars trying to provide very important services for their children. I will take this issue back to the Minister and see whether it can be addressed. Again, I thank Senator Ahearn for raising this very important matter.