Vol. 522 No. 2
269 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if the policy document for the further development of child and adolescent psychiatric services which includes consideration of the specific needs of children and adolescents with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is completed; the details of this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18369/00]
270 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has established a framework for a national strategy for the development of services for children suffering from attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. [18370/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
The development of child and adolescent psychiatric services has been a priority of my Department in recent years. A draft policy document for the further development of mental health services for children and adolescents, including the specific needs of children and adolescents with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder was prepared some time ago and circulated to all health boards and the Royal College of Psychiatrists for their views. The observations of the health boards and the college raised a number of matters which require some further analysis and review before a policy document can be finalised. In order to prepare this document a working group has been established to review child and adolescent psychiatry and to finalise a plan for the further development of this service. The terms of reference of this group are: to examine the current state of child and adolescent services in the country; to carry out a needs analysis of the population under 18 years for such services and to identify shortcomings in meeting these needs; and to make recommendations on how child and adolescent services might be developed both in terms of facilities and manpower in the short, medium and long-term to meet identified needs.
The working group held its first meeting on 15 June 2000. It was agreed at that meeting that one of its priorities would be to consider the organisation of services for the treatment of ADD-ADHD. The working group hopes to produce an interim report later this year.
