Seanad Public Consultation Committee continues hearings on Children’s Mental Health Services

The agenda for the meeting is:

Public Consultation on Children's Mental Health Services in Ireland.

Session A: 10 a.m. - Professional Bodies / Clinicians
Session B: 2 p.m. - State/Official Bodies

Senator Joan Freeman, who has been appointed Rapporteur to lead in the compilation of the Report on the issue, said: “The primary focus of this Public Consultation process is to provide a forum where Child and Adolescent Mental Health service users (including children and their parents), key civil society activists, and service providers who have engaged, or are presently engaging, with mental health services in Ireland can bring their views to the Oireachtas.

“Last week the Committee heard some powerful and moving real stories about youth mental health when parents and guardians provided insights into what mental health services are like for children and adolescents in Ireland today. We also heard from experts and people who provide services in the area.

“Tomorrow we will resume our hearings when we will meet with professional bodies and clinicians as well as official and State organisations to get their perspectives on children’s mental health services.”

“Our public consultation aims to inform the debate on children’s mental health services and we will robustly examine the reality of current practice and put forward recommendations for change.”

Seanad Leas-Chathaoirleach and Committee Chairman Senator Paul Coghlan said: “On behalf of the Committee, I wish to sincerely thank all those who sent in submissions to the Committee.  Through this stage of public hearings we will hear from all sides of the debate in the delivery of child and adolescent mental health services. Through sharing their experiences, the witnesses will set out the reality of those in need of mental health services and those providing these services which will allow the Committee to come up with proposals to improve services.

“Last week's hearings were hugely informative and insightful.  I particularly wish to thank the parents for telling their experiences as it can be a most distressing and difficult experience for families seeking mental health services."

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

Watch proceedings and read the transcript from the hearings held on Thursday, 29th June, 2017 can be viewed here: http://beta.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad_public_consultation_committee/2017-06-29/

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices