The Delegate Conference of the Psychiatric Nurses Association is taking place in Cavan today.
The delegates attending have been told today that the HSE is proposing to close a ten bedded unit .
They say it's despite a growing demand by young people and their families for CAHMS services.
Speaking at the conference in Cavan today PNA General Secretary Peter Hughes described the planned closure of a unit in St Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, Dublin. as "inconceivable", with just over 50 CAMHS beds currently in operation nationwide.
That figure is significantly below the 100 beds recommended under the Government's Vision for Change strategy.
Mr Hughes told delegates that in May 2022 the 11 bedded CAMHS Linn Dara unit, Cherry Orchard Dublin closed due to staff shortages, however, they were assured that it would reopen within four months.
He said "Four years later it is now proposed to open the beds in September this year but astonishingly the 10 bedded unit in St Vincent's Hospital will close at the same time."
Concerns have also been raised about staffing shortages and the ability to reopen beds at the Linn Dara unit later this year.
The conference also heard that rising fuel costs are putting increased financial pressure on community mental health nurses.
The PNA says underfunding and long waiting lists continue to leave services overstretched and reliant on crisis care.
