Mental Health Bill 2024: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-10
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Frances Black (IND), Industrial and Commercial Panel

I know huge progress has been made because of the Minister of State. There is no doubt about that. However, legal safeguards are still needed and that is the concern. While the number of children placed in adult units has significantly declined in recent years, which is, no doubt, because the Minister of State is sitting in the seat, there is a risk of regression without legal prohibition, in particular if no Minister is actively watching these numbers as closely as the Minister of State is.
Alongside investing in child-centred mental health infrastructure, staffing and crisis response systems that ensure timely access to appropriate care, we have to include safeguards for children in the legislation. Some of the proposed amendments allow for absolute emergency exceptions and suggest a 72-hour maximum stay with an active transfer obligation. This offers a major compromise. It should never be the case that a child is waiting more than three days to be transferred to an age-appropriate unit. The Minister of State has stated that she does not want to tie the hands of clinicians by legislating to prohibit the placement of children adult psychiatric units. However, introducing a 72-hour maximum stay for absolute emergency situations represents a balanced and reasonable compromise. Is that something that the Minister of State might consider?
We must not forget advocacy for children. Independent advocacy for children will be important. Having a friendly person children feel safe with is important, as the Minister of State knows. She has spoken to clinicians. We know the fear for children who have to go into such a place must be horrific. Having an independent advocate by their side is absolutely vital. I hope she will consider the amendments relating to the 72-hour period and an independent advocate.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-10