Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Dec 1997

Vol. 485 No. 2

Written Answers. - Attention Deficit Disorder.

Dan Neville

Question:

238 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the information, if any, which is available to employees of health boards regarding attention deficit disorder and, if not, the proposals, if any, there are for an information programme on the disorder to be introduced. [23147/97]

Dan Neville

Question:

239 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of persons under 18 years and over 18 years who have been diagnosed for the first time as suffering from attention deficit disorder in each of the years from 1995 to date in 1997 within each of the health board areas. [23148/97]

Dan Neville

Question:

240 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children, if any, who have been sent overseas for attention deficit disorder diagnosis in each of the past five years. [23149/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238, 239 and 240 together.

The diagnosis, assessment and treatment of attention deficit disorder normally falls within the area of responsibility of the child and adolescent psychiatric services in each health board. The relevant clinical staff attached to these services would have access to the information available on the disorder. It is a matter for each health board in association with the senior clinical staff to decide what information programmes are required in their respective health board areas.

I am not aware of any health board referring any child abroad for the diagnosis or treatment of attention deficit disorder in the last five years. However, it is understood that one child may have travelled overseas for treatment in a private capacity.

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of persons under and over 18 years of age who have been diagnosed for the first time as suffering from attention deficit disorder is not readily available and is currently being collated. I will write to the Deputy as soon as the information becomes available.