Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 189: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the tracking study which has been carried out by his Department regarding persons diagnosed with ADD, ADHD or ODD as children while they progressed into adulthood in the context of employment, anti-social behaviour, crime, imprisonment and recidivism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11727/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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The development of services for the management and treatment of attention deficit disorder, ADD, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, ADHD, was considered by the working group on child and adolescent psychiatric services established by the Department of Health and Children in June 2000. In its report presented in March 2001, the working group stated that the prevalence of ADD and ADHD in Ireland can be estimated at somewhere between 1% and 5% of children aged between five and 15, which is in line with the research findings in other European countries.

All aspects of the presentation, diagnosis, treatment and management of children suffering from ADD and ADHD were considered by the working group in the course of its deliberations. The different components of treatment required were set out in its report and the importance of adequate linkages with other services, such as the education services and the community health services, were emphasised.

The group 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 multi-disciplinary teams and towards the establishment of further teams. This has resulted in the funding of a further 19 child and adolescent consultant psychiatrists. Nationally 52 such psychiatrists are now employed. The future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, including child and adolescent psychiatry, is being considered in the context of the work of the expert group on mental health policy which is due to report later this year.