Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 233: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the steps she intends to take to improve mental health services for children and adolescents, following reports that up to 26% of teenagers have mental health issues; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that mental health problems are higher among children from lower socioeconomic groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3033/06]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the future direction and delivery of all aspects of our mental health services, including child and adolescent psychiatry, were considered in the context of the work of the expert group on mental health policy. The Government published the group's report, entitled A Vision for Change, on Tuesday, 24 January 2006.

The report sets out how positive mental health in children can be promoted generally in our society and how specialist mental health services can be delivered efficiently to children who need them. Child and adolescent psychiatric services are in place in each Health Service Executive area, with 39 child community health teams offering a wide range of therapeutic approaches.

The group's report acknowledges gaps in the current provision of child and adolescent services and makes several recommendations for the further improvement of these services. Recommendations include early intervention and health promotion programmes, primary and community care services, specialist mental health services for the treatment of complex disorders and the provision of additional child community mental health teams. The Government has accepted the expert group's report as the basis for the future development of the mental health services.