Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 12 Dec 1990

Vol. 403 No. 9

Written Answers. - Cork Child Abuse Clinic.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

79 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make further resources available to the Southern Health Board in order that they can fully staff the Child Abuse Clinic at St. Finbarr's Hospital, Cork and provide a full service to the public of the southern region.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

An allocation of £80,000 was made in mid-1990 for the 12 month period up to June 1991 to the Southern Health Board in respect of services for the assessment of alleged cases of child abuse in their area. This was an increase of £10,000 on the moneys allocated to them in 1989.

The number of referrals in the period up to early November 1990 seems to indicate that there may be, if anything, a slight decrease when compared to 1989. Non urgent referrals can at present be seen within a fortnight.

In relation to the provision of therapy for the abused, the family of the abused and also the abuser following the conclusion of the assessment process, Comhairle na nOspidéal have approved the creation of a consultant post in child and adolescent psychiatry which, I understand, will shortly be advertised by the Local Appointments Commission.