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Psychological Services

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 January 2013

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

Questions (924)

Gerald Nash

Question:

924. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review her decision to move certain psychology services from the Health Service Executive to the new Child and Family Support Agency; if her attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by a number of expert clinical psychologists in relation to this measure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1752/13]

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Written answers

The Government has given approval to the drafting of a Bill to establish the Child and Family Support Agency. Work on the preparation of the legislation is proceeding as a priority and the intention is that the Agency will be established as a priority. In order to inform the content of the legislation the Government has decided that upon establishment the Child and Family Support Agency will have responsibility for a range of services. This includes the full range of child welfare and protection services currently operated by the HSE including family support and alternative care services. Due to its particular relevance, it has also been decided to include domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services within the Agency's responsibilities. The Government has further decided that the new Agency will assume responsibility for the functions of both the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. These two organisations currently operate under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The draft legislation will also provide for the provision of community-based psychology services to children and families by the Agency. It is envisaged that this will involve the transfer of certain psychology staff currently employed by the HSE who are operating within a community setting.

The Government's consideration of these matters was informed, inter alia, by the content and recommendations of the Report of the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency which I published in July 2012. I share the view of the Task Force that in order to achieve genuine improvements for children and families, the Agency must have a broader focus than child protection. It is my intention that the Agency will be as broadly based as possible and that it should include those services that (i) may prevent problems arising for a family in the first instance (ii) identify problems and provide supports at an early stage and (iii) assist children and families in managing serious problems requiring specialised interventions beyond their own resources.

Arising from the Government's consideration and decision with regard to the functions of the new Agency, it has been agreed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health that an impact analysis will be jointly developed regarding the proposed future arrangements for the provision of the community psychology service as it relates to children and family services covered by the Child and Family Support Agency and to services provided by the HSE. This work will be undertaken as a priority.

I recently met with representatives from the Heads of the Psychology Services Ireland and with a delegation from the IMPACT trade union to discuss issues relating to the future governance and organisational arrangements for the provision of community based psychology services. Our shared objective is to ensure that the optimal national governance and service delivery framework is in place to ensure the best possible outcomes for children and families and other clients who need to avail of this key service. The views of the profession and its representatives will receive appropriate consideration as part of the impact analysis.

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