Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 238: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the strategy in place to assist young persons with eating disorders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30126/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Responsibility for the management and treatment of a person with an eating disorder rests with the individual patient's clinician. However, persons presenting with eating disorders are generally treated through the local psychiatric services. Outpatient psychiatric services are provided from a network of hospitals, health centres, day hospitals and day centres.

An expert group on mental health policy is currently preparing a new national framework for the further modernisation of the mental health services, updating the 1984 policy document, Planning for the Future. The expert group has a number of sub-groups looking at specialist issues in mental health services, including the development of services and facilities for the treatment of eating disorders. The expert group is expected to complete its work later this year.