Notice of Motions in the name of Cllr Sinead Guckian
At the September meeting of Leitrim County Council, I will ask for the support of members in calling on the Minister for Health to intervene and address the current delays being experienced attaining appointments to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) in this region. Currently there are children and teenagers, who have been assessed and referred to this service but they are now left waiting, some over 12 months, for their initial appointment with CAMHS.

RESPONDING TO THE REPLY
Cllr Sinead Guckian welcome the support of all members, she advised that this service is specialist service for children and adolescents with serious emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties. She advised member that the new Fine Gael and Independents Government had told the public that their new programme for Government included an ambitious strategy on mental health but the ongoing delays in this region for such a vital service contradicted this commitment.
“It is not acceptable that children and teenagers, in our communities are waiting, some over 12 months for appointments to the mental health services”. She outlined to member, for example, that children who had received their assessment and who had been identified as requiring the CAMHS service and referred to the service, were still waiting for the first appointment. She informed members  that there are children who are returning to their schools this week but their schools cannot seek assistance for them until they have had their first appointment