Vol. 505 No. 3
185 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children when it is proposed to carry out a psychological assessment by the Southern Health Board on a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if his Department will cover the cost of private assessment for the family in view of the fact this person has been awaiting an assessment for 11 months. [13749/99]
The provision of health services in County Kerry is a matter, in the first instance, for the Southern Health Board. As it would not be appropriate to provide the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the individual concerned by way of a parliamentary question, I have asked the chief executive officer of the Southern Health Board to examine this matter and to respond directly to the Deputy.
186 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of children awaiting psychological assessment in the Southern Health Board area; the length of time they have been on the waiting list; the proposals, if any, he has to deal with this serious situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13750/99]
The Southern Health Board maintains separate waiting lists for psychological assessment for children with mental handicap and for children suffering a mental illness. Assessments are carried out by clinical psychologists of the board and by a number of agencies, principally the Brothers of Charity and Cope Foundation, on an agency basis. The number on the waiting list for children with a mental handicap is 416 and 445 for children suffering a mental illness. The average waiting time varies from agency to agency. However, for mental handicap the average waiting period is in the region of one year and the waiting list for mental health services ranges from one week to two and a half years. Clients presenting with urgent issues are given priority and are usually seen within one month. The board and the Brothers of Charity have experienced difficulty recruiting additional psychologists. Efforts continue to be made to employ additional psychologists to address the waiting lists.
