Shortage of child psychologists for North Cork

The hourly equivalent of fewer than three full-time psychologists is working in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) across the northside of Cork city and Mallow, an area with a juvenile population of 25,300.

There are supposed to be 15.6 whole-time equivalent (WTE) psychologists for the Blackpool and Mallow integrated healthcare areas (IHCAs), say the HSE.

Whole-time equivalent measures the total amount of full-time employees, adding up the hours of full-time, part-time, and other types of employee in to measurable full-time units.

Of the 15.6 WTE psychologists approved for Blackpool and Mallow, only 5.6 WTE are in post.

However, only 2.6 WTE are qualified psychologists, and they are supported by three assistants, who are described by the HSE as “pre- professional training”.

The Blackpool and Mallow IHCAs cover all of the Cork North Central constituency, with the exception of Ballincollig, catering for roughly 110,000 people.

Statistically, 23% of the Irish population is under the age of 18. This equates to 25,300 young people in the northside of Cork city and Mallow

The revelation that fewer than three qualified psychologists are working in child and adolescent mental-health primary care over such a large area is contained in a reply given to a parliamentary question by Thomas Gould, Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central.

Responding, Mari O’Donovan, HSE South West head of service and IHCA, said she anticipated that staff-grade psychology vacancies would be filled by trainees due to graduate in September 2026.

Mr Gould said it was clear that children and adolescents with mental-health issues were being failed in Cork.

“There is no doubt that children will fall through the cracks, because of these vacancy levels,” he said.