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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht (Atógáil) - Questions on Policy or Legislation (Resumed)

Homelessness, legacy inquests and CAMHS staffing

Summary

With time running short, three further issues are taken together: emergency accommodation in Kerry, the Belfast judgment on the Troubles legacy Act and protection for inquests, and delays in staffing Wexford's CAMHS team. The Minister says he will raise Kerry with Housing, ask Minister Butler to address CAMHS staffing, and begins responding to the Belfast judgment.

Cormac Devlin An Cathaoirleach Gníomhach Fianna Fáil

We have three Deputies left to ask questions. I propose we take them all together in the three minutes we have remaining.

Comment on this

In 2011, there were 3,800 people in emergency accommodation or homeless. There are now 14,000 people in this situation. Like other counties, people who have been made homeless in County Kerry, whether through relationship breakdown or for whatever other reason, want accommodation close to services and close to home. Currently, though, there is no emergency accommodation in west, mid, south or east Kerry. There is only such accommodation in Tralee and Listowel. The county council is doing much work, but it is only preventive work. In effect, it is only firefighting. There is a total reliance on beds contracted from private providers who will always take the fast and easy buck. Will the Minister ensure that purpose-built, modular accommodation will be provided to address this crisis?

Comment on this

The High Court in Belfast declared today that the UK's Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 is incompatible with human rights, particularly where it relates to immunity from prosecution. Having attended the inquest last week into the Springhill massacre, where five civilians were shot dead by the British Army in 1972, at the request of the families involved, it is important that these inquests continue until they are finished and that whatever legal process might happen after that is not affected by immunity. Would the Minister agree that the British Government must cease using this legislation and repeal it urgently in the interests of peace and reconciliation and truth and justice on this island?

Comment on this

In a recent parliamentary question, I asked about the setting-up of a promised new child and adult mental health services, CAMHS, team in County Wexford. The answer I received amounts to an endorsement of Deputy Ward's Bill, which we will be voting on tonight, to put the regulation of CAMHS on a statutory footing.

The reply to the parliamentary question stated that the recruitment for the third CAMHS team in Wexford has been ongoing for some time. The candidate for the consultant psychiatric post withdrew their acceptance offer in autumn 2023. Another candidate withdrew their application in December 2023. That is nine months later and at present the post remains vacant. That is almost 21 months in total. As parents and everyone are aware, the CAMHS team cannot operate at full capacity without a consultant signing off on a diagnosis. The CAMHS team cannot put in place a proper plan for that child. I ask the Minister to intervene so that this critical post is filled without further delay.

Comment on this

I will certainly take up Deputy Daly's suggestion on the need for emergency accommodation in Kerry with the Minister for housing and will ask him to revert to him directly on the matter.

I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, to look into the staffing of the CAMHS team and to respond to Deputy Mythen directly.

Deputy O'Dowd asked about the judgment in Belfast. I am aware of his ongoing interest in and work with families and victims' groups here. Obviously, we have only seen the judgment in Belfast in recent hours. It is a very long judgment, running to approximately 200 pages, but it seems to be positive. The Government's position on this has been consistent and steadfast. We believe all families deserve justice and we want all families to get justice. We are very much aware of the judgment delivered in the High Court earlier. It is a long and detailed judgment in a case brought by a number of individuals whose route to truth and justice will be curtailed by the UK legacy Act. The Government will study the judgment carefully. Officials in the Department of Finance are in close contact with organisations assisting the plaintiffs. The Government's approach to legacy issues has been and remains that it must be victim centred and must be compliant with international human rights standards.

Comment on this