Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014
1030. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if a specific policy exists in relation to the provision of mental health services to children in care of the State; and in particular if there is a national policy on the provision of mental health services to children in care in circumstances where children are placed in a Health Service Executive area outside of their own locality. [13232/14]
View answerThis Government has prioritised reform of mental health services in line with implementing A Vision for Change, including the delivery of more and better quality mental health care for children in both community and residential settings. This policy is reflected in the significant investment and changes that we have brought to Mental Health since 2012 and covers the provision of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). The implementation of that policy includes CAMHS Teams, in-patient care, and development of forensic mental health services for children.
A Vision for Change envisages 99 multi-disciplinary teams to provide acute secondary mental health care for children in the community, including hospital liaison and day hospital services. There are now 61 CAMHS teams in place, compared to 54 in 2008. It also recommends the provision of 80 Child and Adolescent psychiatric in-patient beds. In 2008 there were 16 such beds, while now there are 51 beds operational nationally, with more planned. Further capacity will be available with the completion of the CAMHS Forensic Unit as part of developing the National Forensic Mental Health Service, and the National Children’s Hospital. To underpin the new initiatives approved to-date, around 230 new posts were allocated to CAMHS Teams over 2012-13, and recruitment of these is well underway. More CAMHS posts are due to come on-stream over the course of this year.
A Vision for Change (paragraph 10.12) recognises the needs of children requiring special consideration, including children in care. It recommends that the primary support for these children should be provided by the psychological services in community care or by the local Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Team, where specialist care is required. The needs of such children would be decided and, where necessary, prioritised following professional assessment. In circumstances where children are placed in a HSE area outside of their own locality, and the criteria governing these cases, I have referred this matter to the Executive for direct reply to the Deputy, as the Executive has operational responsibility in such cases.
