Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2016
1195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if adequate child psychological services are available to meet the requirements as already indicated or notified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9440/16]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, in discharging its functions, is placing a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention, family support, therapeutic and care interventions, all of which are key to the provision of integrated, multi-disciplinary services for vulnerable children and families.
Tusla has specific responsibility for psychology services for children as set out in Section 8 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. These services for children are currently provided by arrangement with the HSE. The Agency 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 the Agency 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 the Agency.
Tusla has advised that it intends to re-engage with the HSE with a view to developing a Service Level Agreement to assist the Agency in fulfilling its statutory obligations. The Service Level Agreement will determine the quantum of services needed to meet the Agency's requirements.
Children have access to publicly funded child and adolescent mental health teams and primary care psychology services provided by the HSE. Additionally there are a number of services commissioned by social work departments around psycho-therapeutic supports.
Clinical psychology services are also 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 intervention to children and families.
