‘It’s very distressing for parents and for the children’

MINISTER Tim O’Malley’s suggestion of exaggerated waiting lists has been challenged by a Limerick school principal who knows all too well about the trouble caused to children, their families and teachers by delays in getting psychiatric assessments.

Seamus Long runs and teaches at St John the Baptist boys’ national school in inner-city Limerick and understands the frustrations felt in these situations.

“It’s very distressing for parents and for the children themselves. Many of them clearly can’t understand their situation as clearly as they would a physical ailment like a toothache, which makes things more distressful,” he said.