Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 14 Oct 2003

Vol. 572 No. 3

Written Answers. - Mental Health Services.

John Gormley

Question:

351 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps which are planned to address the findings of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture that staff levels, particularly of psychologists and occupational therapists, were utterly inadequate in the intellectual disability facilities it visited, that is, Grove House, St. Joseph's and St. Raphael's. [22904/03]

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

The Higher Education Authority, following a formal bidding process between third level educational institutions has allocated an additional 175 training places to respond to the training needs identified in the manpower planning study commissioned by my Department in respect of current and future need for speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists. This initiative almost doubles the number of therapists training places available.

In addition, the Northern Area Health board has undertaken a concerted overseas recruitment drive on behalf of all health boards. Procedures are being streamlined to minimise the length of time taken to validate foreign qualifications consistent with the overarching need to ensure that all therapists working in the health sector are appropriately trained and qualified.

The report of the expert group on various health professionals recommended the establishment of a therapy assistant grade, where appropriate, to provide practical support to therapists in their work and also to address the issue of skills mix. This recommendation is being progressed in the context of the continuing implementation of the expert group report.

The Southern Health Board is working towards securing multi-disciplinary teams at St. Raphael's and Grove House. Psychology services are being provided on a sessional basis at present and it is hoped to fill the post of psychologist before the end of this year. The staffing levels in St. Joseph's will be reviewed in the context of the development of new facilities.

John Gormley

Question:

352 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on reports that Court Hall in-patient mental health facility for children under 16, one of only three in the country, is effectively no longer operational and is not accepting admissions, leading to a mere 12-bed capacity in the entire State and intolerable pressure on paediatric services. [22905/03]

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

Responsibility for the provision of the services referred to by the Deputy rests with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has therefore asked the regional chief executive to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply to him directly. Officials in the Department of Health and Children are also due to meet with the Eastern Regional Health Authority shortly to discuss this and other matters.