Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I look forward to hearing what the Minister of State has to say tonight on implementing A Vision for Change and providing more beds and units for children in need of in-patient care. In 2006, 3,000 children and adolescents waited an average of 15 months for a psychiatric assessment. The waiting list was longer in 2007 and the money for the implementation of A Vision for Change was slashed. This cannot be tolerated. What reassurance can the Minister of State give Members that this situation will change?

The Irish Psychiatric Association presented a very detailed report some time ago analysing all this. Mr. Declan Coogan, a spokesperson for the Irish Association of Social Workers was quoted in The Irish Times about children who were in urgent need of proper intervention but were unable to access support. One example was an eight year old boy with serious emotional and behavioural problems at home and school. He had been on a waiting list for two years. His behaviour had become so problematic he had reduced hours at school and his family, understandably, was under considerable stress. What do we offer these families? Where is the funding to implement A Vision for Change? Where are the urgently needed inpatient beds particularly in the area of child and adolescent psychiatry? In the amendment the Minister of State mentions 1,050 posts. Will these be affected by the cutbacks the Health Service Executive is meeting to discuss today? Where are those posts? Has the recruitment process begun? I have been able to touch on only some of the issues of concern to us in this area. I look forward to hearing what the Minister of State has to say in response.