Vol. 513 No. 6
317 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason there is no children and family counselling service in County Roscommon; the plans, if any, he has to develop this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3514/00]
The provision of child and family counselling services in County Roscommon is a matter for the Western Health Board. I understand from the board that there is a locally based child psychological service which is provided by one senior child psychologist and two child psychologists. In addition, there is an outreach psychiatric service provided on a one day a month basis and on demand when child protection issues arise. The hospital service based at St Anne's, Taylor's Hill, Galway is available to young people from Roscommon. The health board makes available grant aid of £13,000 per annum to the family centre in Boyle to provide a counselling service. Counselling services are also available through the neighbourhood youth project in Boyle.
This year my Department made £190,000 available to the Western Health Board to establish a counselling service for victims of past abuse. This allocation will allow for the creation of a counsellor post to be based in County Roscommon.
I am aware that a number of voluntary groups have applied for additional funds from the Western Health Board to develop a range of counselling services and it is a matter for the board to decide on its priorities in the context of the resources available to it. The board received an additional £1.879 million for the further development of a range of child care and family support services in its net determination for 2000.
318 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Health and Children the counties which provide a children and family counselling service; the plans, if any, he has to develop this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3515/00]
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department. I have requested the relevant information from the health boards and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as possible.
