There has been a staggering 40% increase in the number of children presenting to emergency departments for mental health care. Emergency departments are not the place for those suffering from mental ill health, especially children. Early intervention is key, but these children are simply not getting that. There are currently 4,000 children on a waiting list for appointments with child and adolescent mental health services. Some 560 of them have been waiting more than six months. More than 2,000 children are awaiting appointments with Jigsaw. In some areas, the waiting list is 20 weeks. Some 115 children who presented to the HSE with an eating disorder were referred to inpatient facilities that do not specialise in eating disorders. There are 10,500 children awaiting primary care psychology and 4,000 of them are waiting over a year. It is no wonder there has been a significant increase in the number of children presenting to emergency departments for mental health treatment. Does the Minister accept that his Government has failed children? How will it address this emergency in children's mental health care?

The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is very aware of this issue. We are all concerned about the figures cited by the Deputy. There has been a reduction in waiting lists as a result of some of the measures introduced by the Minister of State. I understand that one of the real constraints relates to getting the staff. One third of the posts that have been advertised to try to get new services in are still vacant due to a lack of people applying. I acknowledge that is not a sufficient answer. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte to reply directly to the Deputy.

I ask the Minister to request that the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, respond to me on the issue. She has responsibility for mental health.

I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to respond to the Deputy. Apologies.