Children in Monaghan Wait 151 Weeks for Primary Care Psychology
Children aged 5 to 17 in Monaghan are waiting 151 weeks for primary care psychology, and 264 weeks in Cavan, according to HSE figures released by Cathy Bennett TD.
By the Monaghan Brief staff·Edited by Seamus McKenna·Published · 2 min read
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Woodland in Rossmore Forest Park. Archive location photograph; not a photo of the events in this story. Artistjenniferreynolds · CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and colour-graded; cropped in layout.
Children aged 5 to 17 in Co Monaghan are waiting 151 weeks, almost three years, for child primary care psychology, according to HSE figures. In Co Cavan the wait is 264 weeks, more than five years. Cavan-Monaghan TD Cathy Bennett released the figures and told Northern Sound she is "absolutely astounded".
How the figures came out
Deputy Bennett asked the Minister for Health in a Dáil written question on 29 September 2026 about the current waiting time for child primary care psychology in Cavan and Monaghan. The Oireachtas record shows the Minister referred the question to the HSE for a direct reply, because it is a service matter. Northern Sound reports that the HSE provided the figures.
"Simply not good enough"
Deputy Bennett said the figures are "simply not good enough". She said the situation is "very disheartening" for many families. She sits on the Public Accounts Committee, where the HSE is due to appear in the coming weeks.
Sinn Féin TD Cathy Bennett says Tusla must 'pro-actively' deal with staff turnover, saying only about half to two-thirds of the State's 26 special care beds have been available for a decade. RTÉ reported 13 of 26 are in use.
Cllr Bronagh McAree says the HSE has not answered why Cavan and Monaghan lack the emergency mental health services available at Sligo University Hospital. Monaghan County Council will write back seeking a direct comparison and a timeframe.
Cavan-Monaghan TD Cathy Bennett says families are at their 'wits end' over hospital parking charges, citing HSE figures showing car park income rose from €7.39 million in 2021 to €17.76 million in 2025.
