Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Regional Hospitals.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

172 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he is considering proposals for the establishment of single regional hospitals, containing major trauma units and dealing with most medical specialities for every 350,000 people; the implications of this proposal for existing hospitals, especially in regard to the provision of services out of hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3400/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

I am awaiting the report of the national task force on medical staffing which, I understand, may make proposals regarding the organisation of hospital services. The task force is currently completing its report.

Question No. 173 answered with Question No. 109.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

174 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will carry out a detailed study on the prevalence of ADD-ADHD here in view of the fact it is estimated that 5% of the population suffer from this condition; and if he will provide a multi-modal approach as adopted by the Geneva Centre in Canada as an effective way of treating children with ADD-ADHD in view of the fact that this area is massively under-resourced at present. [3457/03]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

436 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on whether there is a need for an Irish ADD-ADHD information website similar to that of the US (details supplied). [3789/03]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

437 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Government will follow the example of the UK Government in providing funding to ADD-ADHD parent support groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3790/03]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

438 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that ADD-ADHD is a lifelong condition; his views on whether there is a lack of awareness and skills among the relevant medical professionals; his further views on whether children with ADD-ADHD should have prompt access to health resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3791/03]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

439 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to introduce a long-term behaviour modification programme for children with ADD-ADHD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3792/03]

Trevor Sargent

Question:

440 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that ADD-ADHD often creates a vulnerability to criminal behaviour, school exclusion, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, conduct disorder, lack of motivation and complex learning delays; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that successful treatment models show that there are ways of dealing with this condition; if he proposes to initiate these treatment models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3793/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 436 to 440, inclusive, together.

The development of services for the management and treatment of attention deficit disorder-attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADD- ADHD, was considered by the working group on child and adolescent psychiatric services established by the Department of Health and Children in June 2000. In its report, presented in March 2001, the working group stated that the prevalence of ADD-ADHD in Ireland can be estimated at somewhere between 1% and 5% of school age children, that is, aged five to 15 years, which is in line with the research findings in other European countries. The group recommended the enhancement and expansion of the overall child and adolescent psychiatric service as the most effective means of providing the required service for children with this condition.

All aspects of the presentation, diagnosis, treatment and management of children suffering from ADD-ADHD were considered by the working group in the course of its deliberations. In its report, the different components of treatment required were set out and the importance of adequate linkages with other services, such as the education services and the community health services, were emphasised.

The working group found that the internationally acknowledged best practice for the provision of child and adolescent psychiatric services is through the multi-disciplinary team. It noted that many of the child and adolescent psychiatric teams currently in place throughout the country do not have the full complement of team members required and it recommended that priority should be given, in the first instance, to the recruitment of the required expertise for the completion of existing teams.

In 2002, additional revenue funding of €6.061 million was allocated to provide for the appointment of additional consultants, for the enhancement of existing consultant-led multi-disciplinary teams and towards the establishment of further teams. A further €1.64 million was allocated in 2003. Each health board now has funding for a minimum of three consultant-led child and adolescent multi-disciplinary teams.

The Health Strategy Quality and Fairness – A Health System For You includes a commitment to the implementation of the recommendations of the working group's report. Funding was made available by my Department in 2000 to ADD-ADHD parent support groups through the national lottery and other sources. I am not aware of any plans to develop an information website in this area.