The mental health commission found that eight children were admitted to the Waterford adult mental health service in 2018. Incredibly, it found that the compliance record for the service was 57% compared to 68% for 2017. A report found that not all staff involved in the care of children had training in Children First, age appropriate facilities and a programme of activities were not available and child residents did not have access to age appropriate advocacy services. It went on to state that the admission of children policy did not address the procedures in regard to family liaison. Other issues included parental consent, confidentiality and the requirement for each child to be individually risk assessed. It found that residents’ general health needs were not monitored and assessed in line with their specific needs, that physical examinations were inadequate, that residents did not have access to a supply of appropriate emergency personal clothing and, to add insult to injury, the centre was not clean, hygienic and free from offensive odours. What in God’s name is happening? How can children and adults with mental health difficulties be treated in that fashion?

I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers, and I want to acknowledge the good work the mental health commission continues to do to ensure standards continue to improve across the range of healthcare facilities that look after some of our most vulnerable adults and young people. There is no excuse for many of the issues highlighted in the report, which the Deputy listed. It is down to management. In this instance, management has a job to do and a function to deliver. People deserve to have clean facilities and proper care plans in place.

Children are being admitted to adult services.

We cannot have a discussion.

On the issue of children being admitted to adult facilities, in 2008 three out of every four children admitted to mental health units went into adult units. Thankfully, the situation has reversed and now about one in every four children are admitted to adult services, while three out of every four are admitted to age appropriate services. Last year, the figure was 84. To date this year, it is 37. We are making significant improvements, but a number of children are still being admitted to adult services.