Mental Health Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-16
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Gary Gannon (SD), Dublin Central

We hear about numbers, facts, figures and commitments of Government. I do not believe anybody wakes up in the morning and intends to do bad or ill; I believe everyone has the very best of intentions. However, when I hear that recruitment remains challenging, I think to myself that what is unimaginably challenging is for a mother - I used the example of Niamh because she gave me permission to do so - seeing her child's development impacted by the absence of a post. Are we doing everything in our power to fill those posts? What are the gaps? When will they be filled?
The Minister of State spoke of an increase in demand. That reflects well on society. We are more conscious of the complexities in a child's development which require therapeutic interventions. These are choices that can be made. Do we need to pay more? Do we need to develop more education pathways for people into CAMHS? The situation at the moment is not tenable. We are watching the erosion of children while parents are making themselves legal experts and experts in therapy. They are organising among themselves. They are providing education to their children in very difficult circumstances. All the while the State is saying that things remain challenging. I cannot believe we will go into a budget in a couple of weeks' time with tax cuts on the table while we have such need among children in this country. They are asking for the basic necessity of access to therapy so they can live their lives in a way regulated to the needs of the society we are asking them to live in. It is a gross shame on us collectively as a State that this remains the situation. I hope we can find a solution for Tom and for as many children who need therapy as possible.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-16