Mental Health Services

Tuesday, 21 April 2026

Ceisteanna (188)

Liam Quaide

Ceist:

188. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Health the current level of investment in Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services for Children with Intellectual Disability (CAMHS-ID) in each HSE health region; within each region, each integrated health area; the level of investment required in each such area to achieve the service, staffing and team targets envisaged in the CAMHS-ID National Model of Service; the national planning or service documents that are relevant to this cohort of young persons; and to explain the shortfall between current investment and the investment required to meet the staffing targets set out in that document. [28473/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The current Programme for Government makes several commitments to improving all aspects of youth mental health care, including the specialist HSE CAMHS service.

This has been underpinned by the significant additional funding I have secured for youth mental health over recent years, including under Budget 2026, and the emphasis I have placed on better outcomes for mental health under the agreed HSE Service Plan 2026. The objective of improving access to care, and of reducing waiting lists, is also being progressed in the context of implementation of Sharing the Vision 2020-2030 and the three year HSE Child and Youth Mental Health Action Plan published in February 2025.

I, and the Government, fully appreciate the significant service improvements that have been made by all CAMHS staff over recent times and the real difference that this continues to make for many vulnerable children and their families.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond direct to the Deputy as soon as possible in relation to the operational details sought.