Vol. 441 No. 3
17 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to improve, extend or otherwise augment the child psychological services, with particular reference to the need for the provision of adequate staff numbers to meet requirements with reference to the Child Care Act and other Acts of the on the matter.
85 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health whether adequate child psychology facilities exist to meet the requirements as set out under the Child Care Act and other acts of the Oireachtas, with reference to modern requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 17 and 85 together.
I am committed to the development of child psychological services in the context of the implementation of the Child Care Act, 1991. These services are a key component of the comprehensive range of community-based child care and family support services currently being put in place to strengthen the capacity of the health boards to respond effectively to the needs of children who are not receiving adequate care and attention. The Deputies will be pleased to learn that last year I approved the creation of over 20 new posts in the child psychological services. My Department is currently in consultation with the health boards in relation to their priorities for funding from the additional special moneys made available by the Government this year for new service developments in the child care area. I expect that a further strengthening of the child psychological services will take place in that context.
