Longford-Westmeath TD says CAMHS waiting list of 4,900 youths 'simply unacceptable'
Sinn Féin’s Sorca Clarke obtained the figures through a Parliamentary Question, that show 643 young people have been waiting more than 12 months for a CAMHS appointment.
The Government have been criticised over what has been described as the 'continued failure to tackle the crisis in CAMHS' as new figures show almost 4,900 young people in Longford and across Ireland are now waiting for an appointment.
Sinn Féin mental health spokesperson, Sorca Clarke obtained the figures after she submitted a Parliamentary Question the that showed 4,881 young people are now waiting for an appointment.
The data also showed that 643 young people have been waiting more than 12 months for a CAMHS appointment, while a further 446 have been waiting between nine and 12 months.
These figures come despite repeated Government commitments to improve access to child and adolescent mental health services.
Deputy Clarke said the figures are deeply concerning.
“There are now 4,881 young people waiting nationally for CAMHS, with 643 waiting for more than a year.
"That is simply unacceptable."
Deputy Clarke said since this government took office in January 2025, the number of young people waiting for a CAMHS appointment has increased by 16.2%.
“Instead of reducing waiting lists, the Government has allowed the number of children waiting for vital mental health support to continue to increase.
“Around 75% of all mental health difficulties emerge before the age of 25, making timely intervention critical.
“What is particularly worrying is the regional variation. In Cork South and West, 208 young people have been waiting over 12 months, while 165 young people in Louth and Meath face the same unacceptable delay.
“We cannot continue to normalise children waiting months or even years for specialist mental health care. Early intervention is crucial, and delays can allow difficulties to escalate and place additional pressure on families, schools, GPs and other services.
“This Government has had ample opportunity to address the CAMHS crisis, yet these waiting lists remain far too high."
Deputy Clarke said Sinn Féin believes that mental health must be treated with the same urgency as physical health.
“That means investing in community-based early intervention services, recruiting and retaining the multidisciplinary staff needed across CAMHS, and ensuring that every child can access assessment and treatment within clinically appropriate timeframes.
“Children and families cannot continue to pay the price for Government failure. The Government must act now”.