Mental Health Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 December 2012

Tuesday, 11 December 2012

Questions (530)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

530. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health with regards to the Health Service Executive's fourth annual report of child and adolescent mental health services and the announcement in it that on 4 September 2012, the HSE management team approved the new access protocols for 16 and 17 year olds to mental health services, if he will provide details of these new access protocols; if he will confirm if the HSE and his Department have engaged in detailed consultation and full engagement with the Irish Medical Organisation and Irish Hospital Consultants Association as is required by the PSA; and if consultation has happened at a local level with CAMHS teams around the country [55628/12]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The introduction of "Access protocols for 16 and 17 year olds" from 1 January 2013" will ensure the expansion of mental health services to all up to 18 years. The protocol provides that from 1 January 2013, all new cases of children up to their 17 birthday will be seen by Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, in areas where previously the age limit for receipt of services had been 16 years; from 1 January 2014, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services will provide services for all children up to 18 years. My Department has not been involved in discussions regarding the development or implementation of the protocols; as the remainder of the Deputy's question relates to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Question No. 531 answered with Question No. 512.