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The treatment of hundreds of children by North Kerry Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services exposed many young patients to unacceptable risk and reflects serious failures in oversight and clinical governance, according to Social Democrats mental health spokesperson Liam Quaide TD. Deputy Quaide said: “Of the 374 cases reviewed, the report identifies a risk of […]

Social Democrats mental health and disability spokesperson Liam Quaide has challenged Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill for refusing to commit to baseline staffing targets and recruitment within primary care services for young people. Deputy Quaide, who brought to light the extent of waiting-lists across disciplines and health regions through a series of parliamentary questions, […]

The number of mental health patients being held in prisons has reached crisis levels, according to Social Democrats health spokesperson Pádraig Rice. Deputy Rice said: “I visited Cork Prison at the end of October and was very concerned about its conditions, especially for vulnerable prisoners experiencing severe mental health difficulties. “The prison’s governor and staff […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has criticised the HSE after the Minister for Mental Health was unable to provide the Dáil with information on approved psychology posts in older adult mental health services. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “Minister Mary Butler’s failure to answer a straightforward question about workforce […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has expressed grave concern following the findings of an investigation into Bloomfield Hospital in south Dublin, which details serious incidents of mistreatment and abuse of residents. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “The findings contained in this report are deeply disturbing. Evidence that residents were […]

Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide has welcomed the publication of the Mental Health Commission’s 2024 report on the use of restrictive practices in approved mental health centres, noting the significant reductions in physical and mechanical restraint and in the use of seclusion. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health, said: “The report […]

Fully updated waiting list and recruitment figures must be provided by the HSE ahead of a joint meeting of the Oireachtas Disability Matters and Health Committees to address the crisis in primary care services for young people, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “There […]

Lack of workforce planning and the HSE’s failure to initiate a comprehensive recruitment drive is exacerbating the crisis in primary care services for young people, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “This government continues to be in denial about the scale […]

Last-minute government amendments and an unwillingness to accept any opposition amendments have undermined years of important work on the Mental Health Bill, according to Social Democrats Mental Health and Disability spokesperson Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide said: “Some government amendments, introduced on deadline day for submissions at Committee Stage, have significantly altered the human rights ethos […]

The government must commit to a comprehensive recruitment drive to tackle the crisis in primary care services for young people, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide. Deputy Quaide, who is the party’s spokesperson on mental health and disability, said: “Figures released to me reveal the abject state of primary care services for young people […]