Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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606. To ask the Minister for Health if it is normal routine practice that an 11 year old child who has attempted suicide would be not seen by a child and adolescent psychiatrist months after the attempt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54176/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) work directly with children and adolescents to provide treatment and care for those with the most severe and complex problems and with other services engaged with children and young people experiencing mental health problems. Community Child & Adolescent Mental Health Teams are the first line of specialist mental health services for young people up to the age of 18 years. All community CAMHS teams screen referrals received and those deemed to be urgent are seen as a priority.

Having regard to the particular circumstances in this sensitive case I have referred the question to the HSE for urgent investigation and direct reply to the Deputy.