I welcome the announcement by the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, of an additional €1.15 million for specialist eating disorder teams. However, due to years of underinvestment, it is an understatement to say this service falls far short of what is needed. No funding was allocated under the national eating disorder treatment plan in 2020, and of the €1.6 million allocated in 2019, not one cent was spent. There are just three impatient beds for eating disorders in the entire country, all of which are in Dublin. People with severe eating disorders are forced to travel to the UK for treatment. Yesterday, I was contacted by a deeply concerned family member of an adolescent with severe anorexia who cannot get the treatment she needs publicly or privately here. What assurances will the Minister give this family and so many others who have been in contact with my office that they will get the care they need? It is disgraceful that we have only three impatient beds.

I agree with the Deputy that this is an issue of great concern. There has been a significant increase in the number of cases in recent years and coming out of Covid. This is one indicator of the effects Covid has had on the broader public's mental health. It is an acute issue. The Deputy's argument, which I am inclined to agree with, is that this is a funding issue rather than a legislative omission. The health budget has increased to more than €22 billion. For the first time ever at a Cabinet meeting I have attended at this time of year, we did not consider a Supplementary Estimate for the health budget. The budget allocation given to the health service should provide for the targeting of this area, which I support.