Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 162: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the high level of male suicides in young vulnerable adolescents aged between 16 and 17 years who have no psychiatric service available to them as they fall between two extremely underfunded services, child and adolescent psychiatric services up to 16 years of age and adult mental health services for over 18 years of age, a service will be provided for this group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36534/05]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the second report of the working group on child and adolescent psychiatry, published in June 2003, contains proposals for the development of psychiatric services for 16 to 18 year olds. It recommends that, in the further development of child and adolescent psychiatric services, priority should be given to the recruitment in each Health Service Executive area of a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist with a special interest in the psychiatric disorders of later adolescence. The report emphasises the importance of co-operation and close liaison between child and adolescent mental health services and suggests that the current arrangements, whereby the adult services provide a service to the population of their catchment area, including the 16 to 18 age cohort, should continue on an interim basis, pending the development of the specialist services referred to earlier.

The development of child and adolescent psychiatric services has been a priority for my Department in recent years. Since 1997, additional funding of more than €20 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 23 child and adolescent consultant psychiatrists. Nationally, 56 such psychiatrists are now 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 complete its work shortly.

With regard to developments in the area of suicide prevention, as the Deputy is aware a new national strategy for action on suicide prevention Reach Out was launched on 8 September 2005. The national office for suicide prevention which was established by the Health Service Executive following the publication of Reach Out will oversee the implementation of the strategy. This office will also co-ordinate suicide prevention activities across the State, will consult widely on the planning of future initiatives and ensure best practice in suicide prevention measures particularly for adolescents and young people.