Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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799. To ask the Minister for Health to urgently address the dire situation of eating disorder treatment services in Ireland (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27667/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As your are aware, Eating disorders are very complex, very individual, and can be one of the most serious mental health illnesses.

The National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed really well with 14 of the 16 teams envisaged by the Model of Care now funded. Most teams are fully operational and seeing people with ED every day; other teams are at different stages of recruitment and preparation for being operational. The most effective treatment setting for eating disorders is in the community, and the roll out of community teams under the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders continues apace; by the end of this year 14 teams out of the 16 envisaged in the Model of Care will be in place.

In relation to the two Eating Disorder teams for which I secured funding as Minister under Budget 2025, I understand the HSE are working on recruitment and sourcing physical locations for both the CAMHS ED team in the Mid West, and the adult Eating Disorder team planned in the Midlands with a view to being operational by the end of this year.

While a small number of people will require inpatient treatment, research shows the most effective treatment setting for eating disorders is in the community. The HSE works hard to meet the needs of people with eating disorders in the setting most appropriate to their needs.

Access to services is increasing, with 25% more assessments conducted in 2024 compared to 2023 (562 vs 449). Approximately 100 dedicated Eating Disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are working on teams across the country. Enhancement for specialist mental health services such as eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the HSE.

Eating disorders affect a relatively young section of the population. Younger people can access 20 dedicated eating disorder beds across the four CAMHS in patient units.

Adults who have an eating disorder diagnosis and require inpatient care can be referred to the HSE’s acute inpatient mental health approved centres around the country. The HSE funds beds within private hospitals with dedicated eating disorder programmes for adults where recommended by an adult psychiatrist. One Adult Eating Disorder Team also provides care to its catchment area with 3 specialist eating disorder beds in St Vincent's University Hospital.

The HSE are conducting a review of the eating disorders Model of Care. The first phase will entail a review of capacity for specialist eating disorders adult beds is currently underway. The HSE will make recommendations for future plans regarding number and locations of adult eating disorders beds. I expect this plan to be provided to myself as Minister by the end of June 2025. The second phase will be proceeded incrementally, and will focus on the review of teams needed to meet demand for services.

Government acknowledges the important advocacy, peer supports and other services that groups such as CARED and BodyWhys provide and advocacy groups and other key stakeholders will be invited to input into the review of the Model of Care.