07/01/2016

Deputy Ferris Slams Irish Govt's Approach To Mental Health

Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris has blasted the Irish Government's policy on mental health after it emerged a number of children were admitted to the adult mental health unit in Kerry General Hospital last year.

A total of 16 children were taken to the adult facility between February 2014 and last September.

Deputy Ferris said the "shocking" news is a "damning indictment" on the government's provision of mental health in the country.

"It is completely unacceptable that children have been admitted to adult units," he said.

"Such situations are occurring due the government's underfunding and under-resourcing of this much neglected branch of the health service.

"The lack of beds and age-appropriate facilities, within the mental health system, is something that Sinn Féin has been calling on the government to address for quite some time.

"I don't think government TDs in Kerry have anything of which to be proud as they have stood over and endorsed the approach taken by the government."

(LM/CD)

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