A Waterford TD says the dire shortage of child psychiatrists means children are being sent home or referred to Cork.

Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane highlighted the poor state of services in the South East during a debate about Mental Health in the Dáil.

He says the government needs to wake up on this issue.

“There are serious capacity issues.

“The regulator, in this case the Mental Health Commission, has made it known time and again, year after year, that there are serious problems in terms of capacity, buildings that are not fit-for-purpose, children in adult words and a lack of psychiatrists.

“Psychiatrists are leaving UHW because they cannot work in that environment.”

Deputy Cullinane says the situation got worse when services in Wexford were closed

“When St. Senan’s Hospital in Wexford closed, patients were sent to Waterford for services, but because no additional capacity had been put in place, the Waterford services became overcrowded and patients throughout the south east were told to attend the services in Cork.

“These people need supports immediately when they are having an episode or when there is a risk to their lives.

“They need immediate access to services, but it is not available to them in most cases.”