Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2015
103. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which assistance remains available for children deemed to be at risk of self-harm, the support available to their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36774/15]
View answerThe prime responsibility for policy in relation to the treatment and support for young people with mental health problems and those requiring medical care as a result of self harm currently lies with the Department of Health. The issue of mental health problems, including self harm in young people is a complex issue requiring inputs from a wide range of stakeholders including young people, parents, schools, the media, youth organisations and the Primary Care and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) of the Health Service Executive.
The Child and Family Agency, Tusla, works closely with other care providers including the HSE, in respect of access to primary care services, child and adolescent mental health services, disability and other services. Tusla and the HSE have in place both a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Protocol for inter-agency collaboration which underpins the provision of these services for children. The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to set out the partnership agreement between the HSE and Tusla to continue pre-establishment levels of service across both organisations. The objective of the Joint Protocol is to specify a pathway and associated responsibilities for children and families whose needs cross between Health Service Divisions and Tusla.
Tusla is also proposing to put in place a Service Level Agreement with the HSE to strengthen current arrangements and to ensure the provision of effective services for children and families. The Service Level Agreement will determine the quantum of service needed to meet the Agency's requirements.
Children also have access to publicly funded child and adolescent mental health teams and primary care psychology services provided by the Health Service Executive. Additionally there are a number of services commissioned by social work departments around psychotherapeutic supports.
Clinical psychology services are directly provided by Tusla within multi-disciplinary teams deployed by the Assessment, Consultation and Therapy Service (ACTS). Services provided include assessment and focused interventions for children and young people with complex clinical needs and high risk behaviours. They also provide support to other professionals in order to guide interventions to children and families.
