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 my Department in June 2000. In its report of March 2001, the working group stated that the prevalence of ADD-DHD in Ireland can be estimated at somewhere between 1% and 5% of school age children, those aged 5-15 years, which is in line with the research findings in other European countries.
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. 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. The health strategy Quality and Fairness contains a commitment to the implementation of the recommendations of the working group's report.