Mental Health Services
Dail Éireann — 2022-10-20
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Frankie Feighan (FG), Sligo-Leitrim

I agree with Deputy Fitzpatrick. People with intellectual disabilities should have access to supports for mental health services in the same way as the general population around the country within a framework that is multidisciplinary and catchment area-based. Teams should have the appropriate training and expertise and should be suitably resourced.
As the Deputy will be aware, 3.8% of the population has intellectual disabilities and there is an increased prevalence of mental health problems. Up to 25% of those with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities and up to 50% of those with severe to profound intellectual disabilities experience mental health problems.
There is an issue with recruitment, in that the HSE has gone out to recruit but has not been successful. However, I will bring the Deputy's concerns to the Minister and try to get the position filled as quickly as possible.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2022-10-20/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:51:12+00:00
Sitting date: 2022-10-20