Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
170. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress achieved towards a resolution of the issue of the proposed transfer of community psychology services from the Health Service Executive to the new Child and Family Support Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17279/13]
View answerArising from the Government's consideration and decision with regard to the range of functions to be discharged by the new Child and Family Support Agency, it was agreed that an impact analysis would be jointly developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health 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 was undertaken as a priority, and I am advised that a report on the outcomes of the impact analysis is being finalised.
I have 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 have received appropriate consideration as part of the impact analysis.
