Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly has said that children in Kerry deserve better mental health services and should not have to wait to access them.
Deputy Daly was speaking ahead of legislation being brought forward by Sinn Féin, which will be debated and voted upon in the Dáil this week.
Teachta Daly said that they should not have to wait to access mental health services.
“On Tuesday, Sinn Féin will bring forward a bill to regulate children’s mental health services.This is the first recommendation that was made by the Mental Health Commission in their report on CAMHS and if passed would give the commission the statutory powers to oversee and implement the remainder of their 49 recommendations,” he added.
Tackle Waiting Lists
“This will drive improvements, and help tackle waiting lists. The Mental Health Commission’s report into CAMHS highlighted a number of issues with CAMHS, including children lost to follow up, lack of monitoring of psychiatric medicines, unacceptable waiting times for high risk referrals and many more operational issues.
“We have also seen the unacceptable postcode lottery of care continue to exist with certain counties receiving a lower quality of care.
“Children with a dual diagnosis of mental ill-health and an intellectual disability are falling through the cracks as are neurodiverse children.
Families and Stakeholders
“Parents, children and stakeholders have been highlighting the crisis in children’s mental health which has gotten worse under this Government.
“Sinn Féin has engaged with families and stakeholders. We have listened to their experiences. We are taking them seriously.
“This is the first step in tackling the crisis in children’s mental health and will lay the foundation to reduce waiting lists.
“The Minister has dragged her feet in this matter and now must support this legislation. This cannot be kicked down the road. Children in Kerry cannot wait any longer for the regulation of CAMHS,” he said.
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