Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I take this Adjournment on behalf of my colleague, Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney. I thank Deputy O'Sullivan for raising the issue.

Many factors affect the mental health of young people. While the changes which have taken place in Irish society in recent years have brought considerable benefits to individuals and communities, social problems continue to exist which affect young people and their families.

The recognition and application of early intervention for any young person experiencing mental health difficulties is the fundamental first step on the road to recovery. Without the right circumstances and support, problems may arise which can have a significant effect on a young person's future and can potentially lead to serious difficulties.

A Vision for Change contains some 200 recommendations to be implemented over a seven to ten year timeframe. It is clear that new funding should follow implementation. In this regard an additional €51.2 million has been allocated since 2006 to the Health Service Executive for mental health services, bringing spend on mental services to a billion in 2007. However, it is not alone this unprecedented investment that has allowed us to make real improvements to mental health services but a completely different approach that has, and will, enable new mental health services to develop. We now have a much greater focus on community services and the provision of multi-disciplinary teams, early intervention services and many others. This modernisation and reform of services is in line with what patients need and want.

While it has to be acknowledged that there are still gaps in our services, I am pleased that in this context the HSE has prioritised the development of child and adolescent services in 2008 and that those services delayed in 2006 and 2007 will be developed in 2008 including, critically, the recruitment of eight additional child and adolescent community mental health teams.

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