214 children In HSE Locally waiting more than 12 months on a first-time appointment with CAMHS –

Sinn Féin TD for Meath East, Darren O’Rourke, has described the increase in waiting lists for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) first-time appointments under this government as a disgrace. Deputy O’Rourke was speaking following a meeting, on Friday, between local TDs and Louth Meath Mental Health Services and in response to a reply his party colleague, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Sorca Clarke TD, received from the HSE. Teachta O’Rourke said: “On Friday, local TDs met with Louth Meath Mental Health Services and received an update on services in the area. Most regrettably, and like so many other areas, our Mental Health Services are totally under-resourced. We have the lowest number of in-patient psychiatric beds per population in the state, for example. A shocking but familiar story, which has a real impact on patients, families and the wider community.

Sorca Clarke TD Longford Westmeath who sought waiting list numbers from Hse on waiting lists for minors on a diagnosis of moderate to severe
mental disorder.

“Based on 2022 Census figures, LMMHS had 12.9 beds per 100,000 population while the state average was between 20 and 25. We know that our counties have significantly increased in population in the meantime. Meanwhile, the number of beds has remained static. It is simply unacceptable. “Figures released to my colleague, Sinn Féin spokesperson on Mental Health, Sorca Clarke TD, show that the picture in relation to CAMHS is similarly bleak. In July 2020, across the state, there were 2,112 children waiting on first time appointments with CAMHS, 747 of those children had been waiting for over a year.

“As of April 2025, the number has increased to 4,554 (national figures) children, with over 760 (214 in HSE Dublin and North East) children waiting over a year for a first time appointment with CAMHS. “This is an eye-watering increase of over 200% in the number of children who are waiting on a first time appointment. “In the HSE Dublin & North East region, which includes Meath and Louth, 1,040 children are waiting for a first time appointment. 214 of those children are waiting for over a year. This is a disgrace.

“These are not just numbers, they are children with moderate to severe mental health needs, who are in distress. “Families are at their wits end wondering if help will ever arrive. “The mental health system is a system bottlenecked by underinvestment and neglect. This is true across the state, but it is particularly in Meath and Louth. “What is happening right now is a complete betrayal of our children’s right to mental health care, and this government is failing to act with the necessary level of urgency. “I am calling on government to take immediate action to ensure the children who have been waiting to be seen for over a year are not left waiting any longer.”