Vol. 533 No. 2
94 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps he is proposing to take to implement the recommendations of a working group set up in 2000 to review the development of child and adolescent psychiatry services. [8465/01]
I received the first report of the working group on child and adolescent psychiatric services on 1 March 2001. I am currently considering the recommendations of the report.
The development of child and adolescent psychiatric services has been a priority in recent years. This year additional funding of £3.225 million was allocated to provide for the appointment of additional consultants and for the further development of multi-disciplinary consultant-led teams. Funding is being provided under the national development plan for the development of specialist inpatient units for children and adolescents. Additional funding required to fully implement the recommendations of the working group will be the subject of discussion in the annual estimates negotiations in respect of 2002 and subsequent years.
