The Mental Health Commission has highlighted common and “quite astounding” deficiencies across the country in mental health service provision, from Cork to Donegal.

The HSE has said its proposed changes to how children are assessed regarding a possible disability is not aimed at “dumbing down” the work of clinicians — and also admitted that 400 more therapists are needed in the coming years.

Thousands of children are on waiting lists for key psychological appointments, with more than 1,700 children already delayed by more than a year.