79. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Health her plans to deliver on the previous Government commitment from 2018 to increase the number of specialist public eating disorder adult in-patient beds to 23; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10127/25]

Sentiment score: 0.13

My question relates to the 2018 commitment regarding inpatient beds for those with an eating disorder. It is important to say there was a significant amount of hurt at some of the previous comments made by the Minister of State about the need for these beds. We met some of those suffering from eating disorders last week. The reality is that while we very much welcome an expansion of community care, there is a desperate need for an increased number of inpatient, specialist beds for those suffering from an eating disorder.

Sentiment score: -0.13

I look forward to that response from the Minister of State concerning the adult beds. What I am hearing from the initial contribution of the Minister of State is that there is no intention to make good that commitment from 2018 regarding the 20 adult beds. The reality is that it is a very complex psychiatric condition. When we look at the data from the Health Research Board, it can be seen that eating disorders require the longest inpatient stays of all psychiatric illnesses. The reality in this country is that we have outsourced care for some of the most severe eating disorder conditions to the private sector and charities. Some 76% of inpatient admissions for eating disorders are to private facilities and private charity providers. Quite a number of people have to go to England. Now, that is shameful in this day and age. We also know the number of those concerned, especially for the under-18s, has increased by about 43% in a short period between 2019 and 2023 in respect of those requiring inpatient stays. I welcome the 20 CAMHS beds, but there need to be an awful lot more. We do not have sufficient provision for people with eating disorders in this country now.

Sentiment score: 0.04

We now have the-----

Sentiment score: 0.00

When are we going to see that review? We have been waiting for these beds. They were promised quite a number of years ago now, but we have not seen them. It is good that there is a review, but we need urgency on it. The reality is there are too many people in this situation. It is simply unacceptable that the State is spending money on sending people suffering with this condition abroad. We need to be providing for these individuals here. This is particularly the case given the length of inpatient stay required for many of these individuals.

Sentiment score: -0.03

No, they do not.

Sentiment score: -0.30

All the people I have spoken to did not choose to-----

Sentiment score: 0.00