Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1207. To ask the Minister for Health whether her Department will intervene in the case of a child (details supplied). [24405/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to inform the Deputy that I have received other representations in this case and have raised the matter with the HSE. I recently received a report from the Executive which indicates that various care services are involved in this case. I am satisfied, based on the HSE report, that appropriate care will continue to be provided in this case.

The Government and I remain fully committed to the development of all aspects of mental health services nationally.

In terms of access to wider supports for children, while CAMHS is not suitable for children or adolescents where their difficulties are primarily related to learning problems, social problems, or behavioural problems, there are many other services available to assist these young people such as HSE Primary Care Services, HSE Disability Services, TUSLA, Jigsaw, and the National Educational Psychology Services. Similarly, organisations that provide support/clinical interventions at primary care level for young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties include Jigsaw (Online), My Mind, Turn2Me, and spunout.

Where a child or adolescent presents with a moderate to severe mental health difficulty, it is the role of CAMHS to provide appropriate multi-disciplinary assessment and treatment for the mental health difficulty. In practical terms this may involve joint working or shared care with other agencies including HSE Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Team’s or other agencies. When information indicates that there is more than one HSE service that could best meet the child or adolescent’s needs, consultation should take place to determine which is the most appropriate service or whether a joint approach to assessment and intervention is indicated.

In order to ensure a person-centred pathway to meet the needs of children with a complex disability and their families, the HSE and TUSLA have a Joint Working Protocol to promote best outcomes for children known to either or both agencies. The Disability Services for Children and Young People Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023 – 2026 also establishes clear, robust governance structures at national level to drive the delivery of integrated services between Disabilities, Primary Care, CAMHS and Tusla at local level, providing the critical building blocks for service integration.

The new HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Action Plan, published on 17 February last, is an ambitious plan for comprehensive reform across all youth mental health services, including the specialist CAMHS service. It will deliver services which are safer, effective, easier to access and which offers appropriate support at all levels when needed. The three-year Plan sets out a clear roadmap to ensure children and families have equitable and timely access to high-quality mental health care, including better links with Primary Care and Disability Services, and greater use of e-mental health responses.

The development of a Single Point of Access for all child and youth mental health referrals in partnership with disabilities, primary care, and voluntary and statutory agencies is a key priority within the new Action Plan. This long-term action will ensure children and young people will have improved access to integrated and appropriate mental health services through streamlined referrals and simplified care pathways which will reduce waiting lists. This development coupled with the existing wide range of HSE youth mental health services will ensure that children and their families can access care supports that make a real difference towards achieving Recovery.

As the Deputy will be aware, I cannot influence the provision of care in individual cases as the HSE has statutory responsibility for service delivery. Under Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013, a Minister is precluded from giving a direction to the HSE relating to the provision of treatment or a health or personal social service to any individual. You will appreciate therefore that the provision of current or future care needs for this child is strictly a matter of clinical judgement by the health professionals involved in his care, as would be the position for any person under the health care system.