Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2015
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which child psychology services remain adequate to meet demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36775/15]
View answerPsychology services for children are currently being provided by arrangement with the HSE. 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. 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.
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla for next year. Tusla will have available to it some €676 million in funding, representing an increase of €38 million over 2015. This significant increase in funding will significantly strengthen Tusla's base funding level and will give the Agency greater capacity to respond to demand in 2016.
The Government, since its establishment, has attached particular priority to supporting vulnerable children and families and the significant increase in funding being made available to Tusla next year represents further evidence of our delivery on this ambition.
