7. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Health the status of developing and implementing a single point of access for children’s disability, mental health and primary care services to ensure timely access to appropriate supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4955/26]

Sentiment score: 0.27

I am asking about the development and implementation of a single point of access for children's disability, mental health and primary care services to ensure timely access to appropriate supports. In many instances, cases are being sent from section to section within the Department itself and we are not getting proper conclusions for constituents and people coming to us.

Sentiment score: 0.40

I welcome the positive news and the developments, particularly on the implementation plans. It would be great to get an idea of the timelines for implementation. We have had a number of cases in our office. One that strikes me quite strongly involves a young person with autism and mental health difficulties. They were referred by their GP to CAMHS, which said the young person fell below the threshold. CAMHS then referred the case, after a lot of back and forth with the Department of Health, and the young person was essentially told it was an issue for the Department of children. They went to the Department of children and they were told it was an issue for the Department of Health. These are young and vulnerable people, in particular. Their parents are trying their best and are at their wits' end. Hopefully, this approach will find resolutions for such children in the future but for this child, there needs to be a resolution as soon as possible.

Sentiment score: 0.18

These are all extremely positive initiatives. I commend the Minister of State on them. However, what remains to be addressed is how children and young people with autism are being dealt with through mental health supports. It is said that children's mental health supports need to be addressed through the relevant channels. Rather than actually analysing and looking at these two issues separately, the assertion is that the mental health difficulties here are due to the autism diagnosis. They may be connected, but they are two separate issues and need to be dealt with separately and supported separately. In this particular case, we are trying our best but we cannot get anywhere with it. I can only imagine how frustrating it is for the parents in this situation. It is about how people with autism are being dealt with in relation to mental health as well.

Sentiment score: 0.24