19 counties have no inpatients beds for children with mental health issues

Just 74 beds.

Figures released to Fianna Fáil TD James Browne have revealed that there are just 74 inpatient beds nationwide for children and adolescents suffering from acute mental health issues. Of the nine regional Community Health Organisations, five are without any beds whatsoever. The CHOs without any inpatient beds for children with mental illness cover Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Laois, Offaly, Longford, Westmeath, Meath, Louth, South Tipperary, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford, Waterford, Clare and Limerick.

"There are just 74 acute beds available for children and adolescents across the country and they are in the CHO areas that include Dublin, Cork and Galway. Five CHO areas, covering 19 counties, have none at all," noted Browne in a statement issued on Saturday.

“It seems extraordinary to me that there are no beds in the South East, the Mid West, the Midlands and the North West. I have no doubt that the absence of such beds leads to children being admitted to adult units and worse, waiting for hours in very unsuitable A&E Departments."

He added: "This is yet another example of the inadequate services currently being provided in child mental health services nationally." Comparatively, there are 1,024 inpatient beds nationwide for adults suffering from acute mental health issues.