Tipperary TD Martin Browne has welcomed the passage of a Dail Motion last night calling on the government to address deficiencies in Mental health services.
The motion was not opposed by the government, but that he says must be more than a tactic on the part of the government to avoid opposing a motion such as this – we need to see action.
To start, a comprehensive care plan and a full suite of services must be immediately delivered for the children affected by their attendance at the South Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.”
The Cashel based TD highlighted issues and community protest ranging from CAMHS services in South Kerry, The delays with Jigsaw in Thurles and hubs for Clonmel and Nenagh, the closure of St Michael’s Mental Health beds in Clonmel and asked how can the government be surprised by problems.
He says recruitment issues are a result of decades of understaffing and under-resourcing.
Deputy Browne highlighted that the State is relying on the community and voluntary sector to make up for the shortfall in counselling and therapy services for either no funding or for low level, short term funding at best.
The Motion called on the government to tackle extreme waiting lists and clinical oversight deficiencies in child and adolescent health services.
It demands that the government put in place a proactive strategy for the recruitment and retention of psychologists across CAMHS, and for legislation to end the practice of placing children into adult psychiatric facilities.
Deputy Browne concluded that “The current situation is failing thousands of children and thousands of adults who simply can’t get the support and treatment they need.
