John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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473. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that 11 beds in the Linn Dara CAMHS at Cherry Orchard hospital, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10 are not closed in June 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25729/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I, and officials of the Department of Health, have maintained close contact with the HSE over recent times on maximising CAMHS service provision in the Linn Dara unit. I have met the HSE specifically about this, and visited Linn Dara last week. The HSE has confirmed that no young person is discharged from Linn Dara, unless this is deemed clinically appropriate by their mental health team. It should be clearly understood also, that nobody is discharged to allow a bed to be closed.

As is normal practice, a number of young people have been discharged from Linn Dara purely based on clinical decisions. Due to staff shortages, for a variety of reasons , some beds cannot be refilled. This, unfortunately, has left Linn Dara with just half of its 22 bed complement operational. The HSE has indicated that, for those discharged for clinical reasons, dedicated follow-on supports from the community-based CAMHS service will be provided, if deemed necessary. The Executive will also make available the CAMHS Day Service, as appropriate in individual cases, to enhance supports for young people and their families.

The core issue facing Linn Dara relates specifically to staff recruitment and retention difficulties for mental health professionals. This, unfortunately, reflects wider health system issues. The problem in this case does not relate to funding availability. Staffing cover has been augmented in recent times through methods such as staff working additional hours, overtime and engaging agency staff.

The HSE are exploring every option to maximise the operation of this service in the future. The Executive is intensifying its efforts on recruitment, and while a number of staff have been identified to join the Linn Dara service in the near future, this will take time.

The Deputy may rest assured that all efforts will continue to be made to address on-going service difficulties at Linn Dara.