Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 January 2018
565. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department’s mental health services working group involving the HSE, the Department of Health and Tusla will examine the growing influence of social media and smartphones on young persons' mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4520/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key objective of the working group is to examine the psychological and mental health services for children and young people with the aim of ascertaining a clear continuum of provision, strengthening alignment and areas for improvement, centred on the needs of children and young people.
The Working Group is jointly managed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health and co-chaired by senior officials from the two Departments. Terms of Reference have been agreed and the working group held its first inaugural meeting on 19 January 2018. It is expected that the working group will meet bimonthly.
The focus of the working group is to look at provision in response to emerging needs of children and young people rather than specific issues dealt with by services. At this point in time, it is not intended that specific issues will be the focus of the group.
