CAMHS access delays
John McGuinness described a child in Carlow and Kilkenny still waiting for CAMHS support despite repeated referrals, and said many similar cases exist. Mary Butler replied that CAMHS thresholds apply, the waiting list had fallen by 480, and more mental health funding was being added.
I will look into that. There is always a process to be followed with referendums. I have been involved in many of them, including those relating to marriage equality and repealing the eighth amendment to the Constitution. The Government would always take on board what a citizens' assembly or convention has to say. It would also look at what an all-party committee would have to say. We would then set up an interdepartmental group. There was a similar process for other referendums. Such a process is required because of the need for the advice of the Attorney General. In addition, the Irish-language translators have to be in the room. The Government needs to consider all of the facts and the advice. I will certainly talk to my people and see if we can make some more information available.
Comment on this
The number of families in Carlow and Kilkenny attempting to access child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, is increasing. They simply cannot access those services. I asked this question previously. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, answered on the day, but nothing has changed. In 2023, one family's GP referred them to CAMHS. They were seeking access to a child psychiatrist. The child was at home and unmanageable. Since then, nothing has happened. Now, the GP is again writing to CAMHS imploring it to do something to help this child. I come across many cases like that. Improvements have to be made. Families like this should get access, either privately or through the CAMHS system. Some intervention has to happen. I would welcome a response from the Taoiseach.
Comment on this
As the Deputy knows, children referred to CAMHS by their GPs have to meet a specific threshold. I am delighted to put on record that the waiting list for those accessing CAMHS decreased by 480 last year. There are still approximately 3,700 children on the waiting list. We are working hard across every community healthcare organisation to reduce the list. We have six waiting list initiatives in place. I am delighted to say that in the next few days I will be announcing an additional €10 million in funding for mental health. I will also be providing details on how that is going to be spent. In the context of that €10 million, I have put in place a geographical spread as to where the whole-time-equivalent staff will be put. This is because it is really important that we can secure as many staff as possible in the various areas.