Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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287. To ask the Minister for Health his views on his recent contributions to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6135/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a major international human rights treaty that sets out the specific rights of children. The UNCRC was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1989 and Ireland ratified it in 1992.

The Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman, led a delegation at Ireland’s appearance before the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC), in Geneva earlier this year, with hearings taking places over the 24th and 25th of January. The delegation comprised senior officials from a wide range of government departments, with two officials representing the Department of Health.

A wide range of areas were examined by the committee including around education, inclusivity, justice, and social protection. Representatives from the Department of Health responded to questions raised around mental health, social inclusion, hospital waiting times, health assessments, and infant health. A key theme of all responses was the rights of the child under the UNCRC and steps being taken by Ireland to ensure the rights of children are promoted and protected.

Following the hearing, the Committee will make observations and recommendations to Ireland on the implementation of the Convention. My colleague Minister O'Gorman is awaiting this report and I am certain that all Government Departments will seek to engage constructively with the recommendations once received.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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288. To ask the Minister for Health if he will elaborate on his views expressed at the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, where according to an article (details supplied), an official from his Department stated that it may not be the case that Ireland will reach a point where there are absolutely no children or adolescents being admitted to adult inpatient mental health facilities; if this is the Government’s official position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6136/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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HSE mental health services are committed to age appropriate inpatient mental health treatment and to the minimization of the number of admissions of children to adult units, while acknowledging that, in exceptional circumstances, it will continue to be necessary, where there is a clear clinical imperative, to admit a small number of children to adult units, for the shortest time possible.

Children are admitted to adult units only after efforts to place them in Child and Adolescent In-Patient Units are unsuccessful due to capacity or clinical needs. All admissions of young people under the age of 18 years are notified to the Mental Health Commission in accordance with regulations. All such admissions are also notified to a National CAMHS Lead Manager within Mental Health.

A decision to admit to an adult unit is made only if a CAMHS admission is not feasible. The majority of child admissions to adult units are for children in the 16-17 age bracket. Admission to an adult unit may often be more appropriate for the individual and to avoid any impact on younger children in CAMHS inpatient units. As such, and with respect to taking due consideration of the clinical need of the child and the services they require, it may not be the case that Ireland will reach a point there are absolutely no children using adult facilities.

Children admitted to adult units are provided with special supports by the HSE. The HSE Service Plan allows for some operational flexibility surrounding emergency placements in Adult Units, particularly where very short-term placements take place. Full account is taken of all relevant factors such as the preferences of all those involved, and geographical factors relating to access or visiting. Admission of children to adult units is for short time periods, usually resulting in transfer to a CAMHS unit or discharge with CAMHS Community team follow up.