Almost 4,800 children are waiting for child psychology appointments across Cork and Kerry alone, with nearly 2,900 waiting for over a year. These young people are struggling. They have taken the crucial and difficult first step of asking for help and are being denied it. Many of these children are struggling with anxiety and depression and are in desperate need of early intervention before their mental health difficulties get worse. There has rightly been a focus on the shortcomings in the CAMHS service, but we seem to turn a blind eye to the crisis facing primary care psychology. The waiting list in Cork and Kerry has grown by 25% in under a year. In response to a parliamentary question from me, the HSE pointed the finger directly at the Government's recruitment embargo. Half the funded posts in the service are vacant and the HSE cannot recruit the psychologists that are needed.

I thank the Deputy. Her time is up.

When is the Government going to stop pretending that the recruitment embargo is not having an impact?

The time is up.

What is the Government going to do to address the crisis facing primary psychology services in this country?

I thank the Deputy for raising the issue, which is one that was raised at the Cabinet subcommittee last Monday. It is getting prioritisation, as the Cabinet subcommittee deals specifically with youth, education and disabilities. That is an issue that was raised and we are addressing it as a priority.