Vol. 507 No. 3
146 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding available to the attention deficit disorder adult and family support groups; the plans, if any, he has to provide a yearly payment to these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16902/99]
The diagnosis, assessment and treatment of attention deficit disorder normally falls within the area of responsibility of the child and adolescent psychiatric services in each health board. The development of a comprehensive child and adolescent psychiatric service in each health board area has been identified as a priority in my Department's health strategy, Shaping a Healthier Future, and a consultant-led service is now available in each health board.
My Department is currently in the process of formulating a policy document for the further development of child and adolescent psychiatric services which will include consideration of the specific needs of children and adolescents with attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I have provided additional revenue resources of £0.5 million in 1998 and £1.378 million in the current year to enable further improvements to be undertaken in the child and adolescent services in a number of health boards and it is intended that these services will continue to be developed in the next few years.
The provision of funding for voluntary and-or private groups is a matter for the health boards. I would suggest that the regional health boards be contacted directly by the relevant support groups to discuss their needs, including funding requirements, and what role the groups might have in the future development of services in the boards' functional areas.
