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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Pathfinder mental health project

Summary

Deputy Martin criticised the State’s failure to implement the Pathfinder youth mental health project, saying children had waited too long. The Minister for Health said he would meet the Ombudsman and revert with a timeframe this week.

Mindful of the Taoiseach’s comments earlier regarding mental health and suicide, the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, has been extremely critical of the State’s failure to put in place the Pathfinder project for youth mental health. This was proposed five years ago. Dr. Muldoon said its lack of implementation has been catastrophic for the most vulnerable young children with mental health issues. In a letter released under freedom of information, Dr. Muldoon describes how many thousands of children have languished on waiting lists for years and have been turned away from adolescent units. He goes as far as saying: "we have ultimately lost children and young people to suicide because of the Government’s inaction." Can the Taoiseach confirm when the Pathfinder project will be delivered?

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Simon Harris Minister for Health Fine Gael

I thank Deputy Martin for the question. I note the Ombudsman's comments and I intend to meet the Ombudsman shortly to discuss this. A number of Departments have worked on it. It is a whole-of-Civil Service initiative. I will revert to the Deputy this week in terms of a timeframe for the Pathfinder project.

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