Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. - Attention Deficit Disorder.

Mr. Wall

I thank you and the Minister for taking this important matter on the Adjournment. Families who have to cope with children with attention deficit disorder are under huge strain in dealing with the problems affecting their loved ones, problems caused by the lack of adequate back-up and support services. I know of one family which has to travel over 120 miles from Kildare to Clare to get treatment for their son. They do so at great personal cost, paying for travel, accommodation and the professional fees involved. This is not acceptable.

Some time ago I tabled questions on this issue to the Minister for Health and Children and was informed that treatment of this disorder falls within the responsibility of the psychiatric services for children and adolescents in each of the health board areas. As parents of children with attention deficit disorder know, the level of resources provided by the health boards is far from sufficient to carry out this work in an efficient manner despite the best efforts of the staff involved. The real needs of these children and their families must be addressed. It must be done through the provision of the necessary professional expertise in the relevant health boards accompanied by proper services provided through the Department of Education and Science to deal with such cases at primary level when they arise.

Experts on attention deficit disorder say that if a child who has the disorder is not diagnosed before the age of seven, the damage which accompanies this syndrome is almost impossible to treat or rectify. It is essential that the Minister for Health and Children significantly increases the level of resources available to health boards to ensure the provision of the necessary psychiatric services to treat children involved and to provide adequate back-up for the families. It is imperative that the Department provides financial assistance to the ADD support group which work tirelessly with families to cope with this problem. The group has made an application to the Department of Health and Children and the Eastern Health Board for lottery funding. Due to lack of funding this group is using personal equipment, computers, telephones, stationery and stamps to deal with queries received on a 24 hour basis. I have been informed that with the best will in the world it is simply not possible for this group to operate under such personal and financial strain. In this context it is imperative that the Department and the Eastern Health Board grant the application for funding to the ADD support group.

I have discussed this matter with the Minister for Health and Children already and he is aware of the particular problems and difficulties generated. I sincerely hope the necessary resources can be found to enable the Minister make a positive decision to assist the group. I sincerely hope he will find the necessary resources so that he can make a positive decision on assisting the group in relation to this problem.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

The diagnosis, assessment and treatment of attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder normally comes within the remit of the child and adolescent psychiatric services in each health board.

The development of a comprehensive child and adolescent psychiatric service in each health board area has been identified as a priority in my Department's health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future. Each of the health boards has a dedicated, multidisciplinary child and adolescent psychiatric service led by a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist. Shaping a Healthier Future also recognises the important role of the voluntary sector in the provision of health and social services. It acknowledges the role local support groups have to play in many instances in identifying needs in the community and in developing responses to them.

In relation to the level of funding available for support groups for children suffering from ADD and ADHD, I am aware that some health boards have already provided financial assistance to support groups operating in their respective functional areas. I understand a number of health boards are in direct consultation with local support groups to discuss their needs, including funding requirements and the role the groups might have in the future development of services. These consultations will strengthen links between health boards and local support groups, thereby securing an efficient and effective utilisation of resources to respond to patient needs.

A draft policy document for the further development of child and adolescent psychiatric services has recently been completed by Dr. Paul McCarthy, clinical director of the child and adolescent psychiatric services in the Eastern Health Board and adviser to my Department on child and adolescent psychiatric service policy. The draft development plan, which has been circulated to all health boards for comments, includes consideration of the specific needs of children and adolescents with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. When the views of the health boards have been considered, a final report will be prepared. In the meantime, additional Revenue resources of £1.378 million have been provided in the current year to enable improvements to be undertaken in the child and adolescent services, including the development of services for children suffering from attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

I also note the Deputy's reference to lottery funding in this context.