Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 760: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the criteria governing the determination of child and adolescent mental health areas here and the appointment of child and adolescent mental health teams; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1730/07]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 761: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of child and adolescent mental health teams covering the country; the reason such discrepancies exist in terms of population and geographical areas to be covered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1736/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 760 and 761 together.

The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, entitled 'A Vision for Change', was launched in January 2006. It provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health service over the next 7 to 10 years. It recommends the provision of two child and adolescent community multidisciplinary mental health teams per 100,000 of the population.

In September 2006 there were 45 child and adolescent mental health teams spread throughout the country.

In 2006, a sum of €26.2 million was allocated for the development of mental health services in line with "A Vision for Change" and a further sum of €25 million has been allocated in 2007 to continue this development. This additional funding included provision in 2006 for the development of eight additional child and adolescent community multidisciplinary mental health teams and in 2007 for a further eight teams to be developed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 765: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the child and adolescent mental health team in respect of County Mayo is expected to cover a geographical area more than twice that recommended by her Department and the Irish College of Psychiatrists; if arising from the population of the county her attention has been drawn to the fact that this situation has lead to long waiting times and waiting lists for assessment; if her attention has further been drawn to the distress and pressure that same causes for parents and children; her views on the need for additional child psychiatrists and multi disciplinary teams to meet the outstanding mental health needs of the county as a consequence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1740/07]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy, entitled 'A Vision for Change', was launched in January 2006. It provides a framework for action to develop a modern, high quality mental health service over the next 7 to 10 years. It recommends the provision of two child and adolescent community multidisciplinary mental health teams per 100,000 of the population.

In 2006, a sum of €26.2 million was allocated for the development of mental health services in line with 'A Vision for Change'. A further sum of €25 million has been allocated in 2007 to continue this development. This additional funding included provision in 2006 for the development of eight additional child and adolescent community multidisciplinary mental health teams and in 2007 for a further eight teams to be developed.

Operational responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services was assigned to the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. The HSE is also responsible for the implementation of the recommendations of 'A Vision for Change'. The Executive is, therefore, the appropriate body to consider the particular matter raised by the Deputy. My Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have the matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.