Written answer
Departmental Data
Sixteen eating disorder teams are funded, with 11 operational and five in development; in 2025, over 900 referrals and 600 assessments were recorded, with 75% assessed within eight weeks and treatment commencements up 13%. Cork waiting-list, waiting-time and staffing data were referred to the HSE, while 22 adult inpatient beds are planned by 2030.
3064. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the data available to her Department on trends in anxiety, depression, self-harm and eating disorders among children and young adults aged 12 to 25 years over the past five years; to provide the relevant statistics available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55917/26]
Comment on this
3065. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of children and young adults awaiting specialist eating disorder services in Cork county; the average waiting times; the staffing levels within those multidisciplinary teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55918/26]
Comment on this
I propose to take Question No 3064 and Question No 3065 together.
The National Clinical Programme on Eating Disorders has progressed well with the total number of 16 eating disorder teams under the Model of Care now fully funded. This includes 11 teams now operational and a further 5 teams in recruitment and development, as per the Model of Care. The HSE spends over €14 million on eating disorders services annually.
Over 110 dedicated eating disorder clinicians from the National Clinical Programme are now working on the teams across the country, treating people with eating disorders every day. Enhancement for specialist mental health services including eating disorders is a key priority for myself as Minister, the Government as a whole, and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
HSE data from the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders for 2025 shows increases in activity across referrals, assessments, diagnoses and access to treatment. In 2025, over 900 referrals were received, 600 assessments were completed, with a 13% increase in the number of people starting treatment for an eating disorder. 75% of patients were assessed within eight weeks.
Our current focus is on completing and implementing the existing Model of Care and supporting the rollout of additional teams. Once this is complete, an evaluation will be undertaken, after which the Model of Care will be reviewed by the HSE.
My Department and the HSE are working to develop 22 dedicated adult beds to provide inpatient care for eating disorders, in addition to the existing 20 dedicated child and adolescent eating disorder beds.
The development of the 22 dedicated adults beds will be progressed under the governance structures of the forthcoming 10-year capital plan for mental health services, supported by funding from the National Development Plan 2026-2030. The HSE is aiming to have these beds coming on stream by 2030.
In addition, as Minister, I secured funding from Budget 2026 for two new eating disorder teams, a CAMHS team to serve the South east, and an Adult team to serve counties Galway and Roscommon. This will assist more people with an eating disorder requiring access to specialist eating disorder mental health services.
As this relates to an operational issue, it has been forwarded to the HSE for direct reply to you.