Michael Collins warns on 27-month autism waits and mental health gaps
Michael Collins criticised ongoing failings in mental health services and called for urgent action, highlighting long waiting lists, staffing shortages and inadequate facilities. He welcomed both ministers to their positions but warned that announced initiatives have not resolved delays such as 27-month waits for autism assessments.
He said problems persist despite government announcements about the expansion of child and adolescent mental health services camps and the development of new specialist teams. Long waiting lists, insufficient staffing and inadequate facilities continue to plague the system, he told the archive audience.
He emphasised that children suspected of autism by teachers are waiting 27 months for assessments, leaving families in limbo and denying early-stage help that affects educational, mental and physical development.
He noted that Ireland's suicide rate in 2019-2021 was approximately 9.6 per cent per 100,000 people and described the figure as a grave concern, arguing more must be done to support families and communities and to prevent further tragedies.
He commended the minister for the banter of mental health unit, saying he fought to ensure the unit was built, toured it and found it a fantastic, state-of-the-art facility. Despite praise for staff, he raised worries about the number of bids in the unit and an overall lack of bed space, and called for a standalone mental health unit in Banterrey to meet local needs.
Speaking from personal experience, he said it was the first anniversary of his nephew's suicide and urged a comprehensive long-term strategy rather than piecemeal funding increases. He argued that funding must be part of a cohesive plan addressing root causes and ensuring sustainable support for those affected.
Main criticisms of mental health infrastructure
He said problems persist despite government announcements about the expansion of child and adolescent mental health services camps and the development of new specialist teams. Long waiting lists, insufficient staffing and inadequate facilities continue to plague the system, he told the archive audience.
Autism assessment delays
He emphasised that children suspected of autism by teachers are waiting 27 months for assessments, leaving families in limbo and denying early-stage help that affects educational, mental and physical development.
Suicide statistics and concern
He noted that Ireland's suicide rate in 2019-2021 was approximately 9.6 per cent per 100,000 people and described the figure as a grave concern, arguing more must be done to support families and communities and to prevent further tragedies.
Local unit praised but more capacity needed
He commended the minister for the banter of mental health unit, saying he fought to ensure the unit was built, toured it and found it a fantastic, state-of-the-art facility. Despite praise for staff, he raised worries about the number of bids in the unit and an overall lack of bed space, and called for a standalone mental health unit in Banterrey to meet local needs.
Personal context and calls for strategy
Speaking from personal experience, he said it was the first anniversary of his nephew's suicide and urged a comprehensive long-term strategy rather than piecemeal funding increases. He argued that funding must be part of a cohesive plan addressing root causes and ensuring sustainable support for those affected.
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Transcript
I would like to welcome both Ministers to their positions, and I wish them the very best going forward. One of the most significant criticisms is the persistence on the development of mental health infrastructure. While the Government has announced initiatives such as the expansion of child and adolescent mental health services camps and the development of new specialist teams, the reality on the ground often tells a different story. Long waiting lists, insufficient staffing and inadequate facilities continue to plague the system, leaving many without the timely support they desperately need. We have children who are suspected to have autism by teachers are having to wait 27 months to get an assessment. This is a serious issue for families who are left in limbo for 27 months and is also denying the child from getting the help needed at an early stage. This affects their educational, mental and physical development. The Government's response to mental health has also been criticised for its lack of comprehensive long-term strategy. While funding increases are welcome, they must be part of a broader cohesive plan that addresses the root causes of mental health issues and ensures the sustainable support for those affected. Suicide rates in Ireland remain a grave concern. In 2019-2021, Ireland's suicide rate was approximately 9.6 per cent per 100,000 people. Although this is lower than some other European countries like Germany and France, it is still a significant issue that requires urgent attention. The impact on families and communities is profound and more must be done to provide support to prevent these tragedies. I have to commend Minister Butler in relation to the banter of mental health. I fought the battle here to make sure that we have a proper mental health unit and it has been built. I was given a tour and it was a fantastic facility. I do genuinely, and I don't want to, when it comes to mental health, because it has affected so many families, including my own, which today is the first anniversary of my nephew's suicide, I do want to touch on the worry and concerns I have of maybe the amount of bids that are in the banter of mental health unit. I think maybe we lost a bid, but isn't that alone? The banter of mental health unit covers a vast area and that has to be taken into account. I genuinely think down the road, yes, we must praise the efforts that have been made and the staff are fantastic and everybody's efforts, including the new minister and others, that put that mental health unit that's there, a new state-of-the-art one is there, but I think we do need a standalone mental health unit in Banterrey, because it looks to me as if everybody wants to treat the patient outside the unit and in the world we live in today that might suit some, but not all, and the unfortunate situation is that there isn't enough bed space in the units, whether it's this unit or the units, but there is no bed space and that needs to be looked into. Thank you. Thank you.