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

Wexford child psychology post

Summary

Deputy Verona Murphy welcomes progress on appointing a child psychologist in Wexford and urges action on a promised dietitian for eating disorders. The Tánaiste welcomes the update, praises her advocacy, and says he will raise the dietitian issue with the HSE.

I have stood on the floor 15 times since being elected in as many months to request that a child psychologist be appointed to the child and adolescent mental services in Wexford, in Arden House. I am pleased to say we are at the stage where a letter of offer has been made and that position will be filled by July. I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, and the Government. I have addressed the Tánaiste on the matter and I thank him. Please God, we will see that fulfilled in July.

In the programme for Government, the Government talks about obesity. Unfortunately, we have anorexic children in Wexford in epidemic proportions. It is transpiring through this pandemic that there is a huge increase in the number of anorexic children and we do not have a dietitian post filled. We only have an allocation for half a dietitian. I appeal for that to be reviewed and a dietitian appointed.

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Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I am glad to hear that news, by the way. I hope the offer is accepted and that the post is filled as soon as possible. I recognise the Deputy's consistent advocacy in seeking that that post be made available for the children and people in Wexford who need it.

I will have to take up the point about the dietitian with the HSE. Ultimately, those decisions are operational ones for the HSE. The fact that the Deputy raised it here in the Chamber demonstrates how important it is and how we need to provide better services for people with eating disorders, and we are determined to do that.

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