Government receive lowest grade for Youth Mental Health from Childrens Rights Alliance

The Children’s Rights Alliance have given their verdict on the Government’s promises around youth mental health and given them an ‘E’ grade.

This is the second year in a row that Ireland’s Children’s Rights advocacy group has given the Government a low grade on this issue.

The grade comes as part of their annual Report Card on Programme for Government promises.

It relates specifically to promises to ‘work to end the admission of children to adult psychiatric units’

The rights group acknowledge has reduced significantly but not been eliminated.

The Report Card states:

“‘Children in adult psychiatric facilities’ receives an ‘E’ grade, the same as the ‘E’ grade received last year. There has been a welcome decrease in the number of children admitted to adult psychiatric units in 2024, and indeed over the course of this Programme for Government. In 2024, there were 51 operational in-patient beds in four public child in-patient units. As of 2024, these units have begun accepting emergency out-of-hours admissions. Waiting lists remained high in 2024, with 3,830 children awaiting a first appointment with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). While the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill lapsed at the dissolution of the 33rd Dáil in November 2024, indications are that it will be a priority piece of legislation in the 34th Dáil. However, its reintroduction to the Oireachtas in its current format is worrying given that the Bill does not legislate to ban admitting children to adult in-patient psychiatric wards.”