Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Mark Ward TD, has described the progress by the HSE and Department of Health on the Mental Health Commission’s recommendations for CAMHS as scant.

Deputy Ward was speaking after receiving a PQ response with a progress report on the 49 recommendations that were made by the Mental Health Commission 12 months ago.

Teachta Ward said:

“It is 12 months now since the Mental Health Commission published their 49 recommendations. This week I received a progress report on these.

“Only 10 of these recommendations have been completed with others briefly addressed.

“The first two recommendations, for CAMHS to be regulated under the Mental Health Act 2001, and for the Commission to monitor and do a yearly report on these recommendations, have not been started.

“I brought legislation to the Dáil in February of this year that would implement both of these recommendations. The Government shamefully kicked this down the road in favour of their own Bill which has not materialised. There is no urgency by Government to fix the crisis in youth mental health.

“Another recommendation is to increase the CAMHS budget, which has little new investment by the Minister for Health.

“The HSE, this week, has said that CAMHS staff will need to double to deliver the timely interventions that are needed, while the Government is determined to keep the HSE recruitment embargo in place.

“The recommendations made by the Mental Health Commission were brought about because children were being misdiagnosed, over medicated, falling off that cliff edge at 18. We also have children with a dual diagnosis of autism and mental health, falling through the cracks.

“CAMHS needs to be a safe place for children to get help, and the vast majority of staff are working to the best of their ability.

“It was, however, worrying that this week a child psychiatrist pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a child under the care of CAMHS. This comes just after the Mental Health Commission’s annual report where it stated 42 people reported sexual assaults whilst in mental health facilities.

“The Government is failing to provide the appropriate care in our mental health services and this cannot be allowed to continue.”