Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2026
216. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Health the reason the CAHMS teams in Wicklow and north Wexford are operating without a full team, noting that Lucena CAHMS is currently staffed between 62-63% and Wexford north currently has vacancies, with one post vacant for eight months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21271/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
