A staff complement of 1,237 is required for a full community Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). But the most recent figures show that just 657 are in place in 2017. This means there is a shortfall of some 580 posts, but there has only been an increase of 49 in the past year,
"If the current trend continues then it will probably be 2030 by the time recruitment for a full community CAMHS service is complete," Fianna Fáil’s Spokesperson on Mental Health James Browne TD
“This really is just not good enough. To think that it would take almost a quarter of a century to implement a ten year plan for community Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services is a shocking indictment of our health services.
“I would also point out that this twelve year calculation assumes no demographic change and the situation may be even worse in the years ahead.
"Demographic change means that the numbers required for a full community CAMHS service have actually increased by 42 since last year, so the increase of 49 really means the service is barely standing still.”