State has failed to keep promise to children on mental health

The report suggests that while there has been “game-changing progress” in some areas, there is still a long-road to deliver for the most vulnerable.

The Government has “failed to keep its promise” to children on mental health and remains “miles behind” on housing, a new report has said.

The annual report card published on Tuesday by the Children’s Rights Alliance grading the Government on whether it has delivered on its commitments to children in Ireland suggests that while there has been “game-changing progress” in some areas, there is still a long-road to deliver for the most vulnerable.

“We have seen commendable dedication towards the completion of an array of commitments relating to ending child poverty,” Children’s Rights Alliance chief executive Tanya Ward said.

“Government must now turn its head to commitments that, so far, have been largely ignored to ensure no child is forgotten and the most vulnerable members of our society know that the leaders of their country are fighting for them.” 

In the 263-page report, the Children’s Rights Alliance ranks the Government highly for issues such as the free school books pilot project, the establishment of an online safety commissioner, and the reform of the childcare system.

Efforts to address food poverty have also made a difference, as well as steps to create new pathways for people living in Ireland long-term who were undocumented and their children.

However, the report also highlights multiple areas where the supports for children from the Government are found wanting as compared with commitments made in the programme for government.

This includes the introduction of a public health obesity act, a reduction in the number of homeless families, the abolition of the direct provision system, and – where it ranks worst – to end the admission of children to adult psychiatric units.

'We have seen commendable dedication towards the completion of an array of commitments relating to ending child poverty,' Children’s Rights Alliance chief executive Tanya Ward said.

Ms Ward said in the report: “This year’s report card also included three ‘B’ grades for the Government’s work to realise its commitment to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their children, address food poverty in children and, to introduce guidelines and monitoring of reduced timetables.

“However, in some areas, there has been little to no progress. In mental health, the Government committed to ending the admission of children to adult psychiatric unit but worrying and retrograde steps in this area have resulted in an ‘E’ grade – representing ‘unacceptable, taking steps in the wrong direction or no positive impact on children’.” 

This is the third straight year that the Government has received this E grade.

Ms Ward said that 12 children were admitted to adult units last year, down from 20 in 2022, and this still prompted serious questions about the lack of CAMHS beds.

A reduction in CAHMS in-patient capacity and the high number of children waiting for their first appointment points to a system “creaking at the seams”, she said.

On the issue of child homelessness, she said that it was concerning that so many children are living in unsuitable accommodation that can have a detrimental impact on their wellbeing.

“To really turn the tide on this issue, the Government needs to prioritise investment towards sufficient own-door accommodation structures as well as the introduction of standards to enable adequate inspection of emergency accommodation already in place,” Ms Ward added.