'Simply not good enough': Longford children and families left without vital support

Longford Westmeath TD Sorca Clarke says it is 'simply not good enough' that there is currently just one senior psychology post assigned to the Longford-North Westmeath CAMHS team and that this post is vacant.

Deputy Clarke, who is demanding urgent action from government, stated, "This means that children and families across Longford and Westmeath are without access to a senior psychologist within their local CAMHS."

CAMHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services - is a specialist service for people under 18 with moderate to severe mental health difficulties.

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Deputy Clarke remarked, “Families right across Longford and Westmeath are already grappling with unacceptable waiting lists and delayed assessments, along with limited therapeutic supports.
 
“The absence of a senior psychologist undermines the entire CAMHS team and places additional pressure on already overstretched staff.
 
“Most importantly, it leaves vulnerable children and young people without timely access to mental health support that they need and deserve. This is simply not good enough.

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“I am calling on the Minister to confirm when this vacancy arose, if she will provide a clear timeline for when this post will be filled and if she will explain to the children and families of Longford-Westmeath what interim supports are in place to ensure children are not left without these vital support and services.
 
“Parents and their children deserve answers. Government must treat this is a matter of urgency.

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“Sinn Féin will continue to press for accountability and for immediate filling of this role, along with proper resourcing of CAMHS services in Longford-Westmeath.
 
“Anything less is a failure of the children and families who rely on these vital supports."