The Taoiseach says he expects the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Helen McEntee will soon respond to pleas for improved child and mental health services in the Sligo/Leitrim area.
It follows a meeting in Sligo last weekend between Enda Kenny and representatives of those seeking improvements in services, among them Sharon Boles, manager of the Sligo County Childcare Committee.
It follows a series of recent revelations of the difficulties endured by parents in getting services for their children, particularly those with autism.
In the Dail yesterday, Sligo/Leitrim Fine Gael Deputy Tony McLoughlin said the Programme for Government gave a committment to improving access to mental health services.
He referred to the need for more resources for youth and mental health services, problems caused by lengthy waiting lists and the need to appoint a lead consultant psychiatrist in the area.
This was Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s response to Deputy McLoughlin:
