James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue for discussion today and giving me the opportunity to discuss it.

The Dublin north city and county child and adolescent mental health service, formally known as Mater CAMHS, has become part of the HSE from 1 January this year. Currently, referrals can be made to Dublin north city and county CAMHS from 13 different referral sources, which would not be consistent with national policy as advocated by A Vision for Change. The service is currently reviewing its existing clinical care pathway and referral criteria to bring it into line with A Vision for Change and the other mental health specialties. As part of this review it is developing a plan for the implementation for the standard referral pathway and referral criteria which, when implemented, will reflect A Vision for Change and national policy. This plan will be implemented in 2014. Some of the teams had reduced the number of referral sources in anticipation of the wider plan. However, the service can confirm that in advance of its referral criteria being brought in line with national policy, it will continue to consider all referrals, including those from schools.

Community child and adolescent mental health teams are the first line of specialist mental health services for those under 18 years of age, providing acute secondary mental health care. The assessment and intervention provided is determined by the severity and complexity of presenting cases. Nationally, there are a total of 61 child and adolescent mental health teams, comprising 56 community-based teams, two adolescent day hospital teams, and three hospital paediatric teams. All community CAMHS teams screen referrals received, with those deemed urgent seen as a priority and those regarded as routine placed on a waiting list. In the period 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013, a total of just over 12,000 referrals were accepted by the HSE, representing a 21% increase when compared with the previous 12 months. This statistic alone highlights the challenges being faced in providing mental health services. Arising from the investment in mental health in 2012 and 2013, 232 new posts and €7.5 million were allocated to enhance CAMHS community team provision. Of these, 171 or approximately 75% had started in their posts by 31 January last.

The HSE will continue to prioritise investment in CAMHS services in line with A Vision for Change. The €20 million allocated to mental health for 2014 will allow between 250 and 280 more posts to be filled. As outlined in the national mental health division operational plan for 2014, a comprehensive workforce analysis will inform the best targeting of the 2014 investment. It is expected that a proportion of the new posts will be allocated to CAMHS to build on the 2012 and 2013 investments.

The detailed annual CAMHS reports will continue to report on the activity, access, timeliness and resources of these services. I wish to reiterate the Government's strong commitment to developing mental health services for children and adolescents nationally. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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