Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 May 2012
458 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy of child psychological services; his plans for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24327/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of comprehensive Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for young people up to 18 years is recommended in the policy document A Vision for Change. Key to this is the development of multidisciplinary CAMHS teams, of which 56 are in place.
CAMHS work directly with children and adolescents to provide treatment and care for those with the most severe and complex problems. All community CAMHS teams screen referrals received, those deemed to be urgent are seen as a priority, while those deemed to be routine are placed on a waiting list to be seen.
For CAMHS teams to work effectively, a range of disciplines, skills and perspectives are required so that children and adolescents are offered a care and treatment package appropriate to their individual needs. The special funding of €35m allocated to the HSE in 2012 will, in part, be used to complete the multidisciplinary profile of the existing CAMHS teams by ensuring, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health profession (medical, nursing, clinical psychology, social work, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, child care worker) is represented on every team.
