Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1496. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if any weaknesses in the child and adolescent mental health services have been identified over recent years; the extent to which new demands are not being met on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37890/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraA special allocation of €35 million for mental health was provided in Budget 2012 in line with commitments in the Programme for Government. Funding from this special allocation will be used primarily to strengthen Community Mental Health Teams in both Adult and Children’s mental health services by ensuring, at a minimum, that at least one of each mental health professional discipline is represented on every team.
In terms of in-patient facilities, psychiatric bed capacity for children and adolescents has increased from 12 beds in 2007 to 44 at present - 12 in Dublin, 12 in Cork and 20 in Galway. Work has been completed on the second phase of the Child and Adolescent Unit at St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview, and pending approval from the Mental Health Commission this will increase capacity from 12 to 18 beds in Dublin. The increase in bed capacity is reflected in an almost 50% decrease in admissions of children to adult units since 2008.
In terms of new developments it is proposed to construct a 22 bed in-patient facility in Dublin which, it is anticipated, will be completed by the end of 2013 / early 2014. It is also proposed to provide a 10 bed Child and Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Unit as part of the National Forensic Mental Health Project. The Unit will be based in Portrane, co-terminus with the new Central Mental Hospital.
Despite a significant increase in demand for child and adolescent mental health services the number of children on the waiting list for an appointment has reduced over the last 12 months. At the end of June 2012 there were 2,198 children waiting for an appointment representing a decrease of 12%.
