The lack of a Consultant Psychiatrist for children and adolescents in Tipperary was raised in the Seanad this morning by Senator Garret Ahearn.
The responding Minister Frank Feighan from the Dept. of Health informed the Senator that following interviews a person has been offered the post.
The Senator hoped that the person would take the position saying a start date could not come too soon.
The Senator was sharply critical of the HSE saying it was not fit for purpose as regards the provision of services.
He called on the HSE to use the work permit system to recruit staff and wants parents who fund private assessments to be refunded their costs as it was due to what the term “the incompetence of the HSE”.
The Seanad heard of a family that received an apology from the HSE for failing to act on a referral letter sent in February 2020 until June 29th 2022.
The HSE said this failure may be due to the pandemic.
As a Consultant Psychiatrist had retired families were told the wait was indefinite for assessments.
Private assessment would cost €9,000.
The Seanad heard details of a family where without an assessment appropriate medication or care could not be provided and the families in some cases were reaching breaking point in trying to provide support to their child and remain working.
Minister Frank Feighan said it was “fair comment” to suggest that the Government could cover the costs for private assessment when no State service was available and undertook to bring the proposal back to the Department of Health.
