Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2016
108. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the targets in place for child and adolescent mental health service teams staff levels in 2017 to bring them closer to the target set in A Vision for Change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30650/16]
View answerI have recently secured additional funding for Mental Health Services in this Budget in line with the Programme for Partnership Government's commitment to increase funding for this vital area of our Health services. This additional funding will build on the already substantial funding that was provided for mental health since 2012 under the previous Government where annual funding increased over the period to 2016 by €115m or 16.5%.
All aspects of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are being developed, A Vision For Change recommends 80 additional child and adolescent psychiatric in-patient beds nationally. The HSE Operational Plan for Mental Health 2016 indicates that there are 76 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service beds in the system, of which 66 are operational at present. As recruitment issues are addressed, the potential exists to further increase bed capacity.
The HSE National Service Plan objective for this year aims for 78% or greater of accepted referrals to Child and Adolescent Community Mental Health Teams to be seen within three months. A priority target is to address the needs of those waiting over 12 months, while maintaining targets for first appointments and seeing individuals within three months. In addition, the Executive aims to improve the delivery of services in a more consistent and transparent manner, reflecting the identified clinical needs of the child. Additional resources and facilities mean that we now have 67 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service Teams, and 3 Paediatric Liaison Teams, with further teams planned.
