Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to recent figures from the Health Research Board showing that there were 66 children admitted to adult psychiatric units in 2003; her views on whether these are appropriate locations for the treatment of children; the steps she intends to take to ensure appropriate locations for the treatment of such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4206/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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According to the Health Research Board's publication, "Activities of Irish Psychiatric Services 2003", 66 children were admitted to children's centres and 24 under 16 year olds were admitted to adult psychiatric units in 2003. I am aware of concerns expressed regarding the practice of admitting children to adult psychiatric units. I accept that the placement of children with mental health problems in adult facilities is inappropriate.

The first report of the working group on child and adolescent psychiatry recommended that a total of seven child and adolescent in-patient psychiatric units, for children ranging from six to 16 years, should be developed throughout the country. Project teams have been established to develop child and adolescent in-patient psychiatric units in Cork, Limerick, Galway and one in the former Eastern Regional Health Authority area at St. Vincent's Hospital, Fairview. Approval to tender for design teams for the units in Cork, Limerick and Galway was given by my Department recently. At present, in-patient services for children and adolescents are provided at Warrenstown House, Dublin, and at St. Anne's in Galway.

The working group on child and adolescent psychiatry also recommended the enhancement and expansion of the overall child and adolescent psychiatric services as the most effective means of providing the required service for children with mental illness. This has been a priority for my Department in recent years. Since 1997, additional funding of almost €19 million has been provided to allow for the appointment of additional consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry, for the enhancement of existing consultant led multidisciplinary teams and towards the establishment of further teams. This has resulted in the funding of a further 19 child and adolescent consultant psychiatrists. Nationally, there are now 52 such psychiatrists employed.

The future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, including child and adolescent psychiatry, will be considered in the context of the work of the expert group on mental health policy which is due to report in 2005.