Vol. 547 No. 4
141 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the residential psychiatric facilities available for the treatment of 14 to 18 year olds; if such facilities available are suitable for the secure maintenance and treatment of such teenagers; and his proposals for the provision of new facilities required. [3814/02]
In-patient residential psychiatric facilities for persons aged 14-16 are currently provided in the Children's Centres, Court Hall, Dublin, Warrenstown House, Dublin and St. Anne's Children's Centre, Galway. In-patient treatment for persons aged 16-18 is provided in a psychiatric unit or hospital of the adult mental health services. These facilities provide treatment in a therapeutic environment and are not therefore secure in nature.
The first report of the working group on child and adolescent psychiatric services, published in March 2001, recommends that a total of seven child and adolescent inpatient units for children aged from six to 16 should be developed throughout the country. Five such units are to be developed and funded under the national development plan programme.
The recently published health strategy, Quality and Fairness – A Health System for You, includes a commitment to the development and expansion of appropriate mental health services for persons aged between 16 and 18 years. A sub-group of the working group on child and adolescent psychiatry is currently examining the provision of psychiatric services for this group.
